Public transit 'Roadeo' comes to Portland

Some of the best public transit drivers from around the United States were in Portland Sunday as TriMet hosted a "Roadeo."

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Some of the best public transit drivers from around the United States were in Portland Sunday as TriMet hosted a "Roadeo."

The American Public Transportation Association's International Bus Roadeo -- basically the Olympics for bus drivers and mechanics -- includes mechanical challenges for repair workers and driving obstacles for drivers.

"This is way different (from everyday driving). From the way you adjust your mirrors and the stops, it is a totally different experience going inside those cones and trying not to hit anything," TriMet driver Herman Owens told KOIN 6 News. "But it's fun."

He said the best part of each day "is interacting with people, saying 'Good morning,' or 'Good evening,' have the small conversations, talk about the game with your regular customers. Getting people to and from where they need to be, it just feels good."

Though the event was not open to the public, the Roadeo and conference on public transportation brings around 2,000 people to Portland and the Pacific Northwest. The transportation association chose Portland because of TriMet's large transit network.

"We gotta step our game up and put our skills to the test. It feels good because you're among the best drivers in the United States," Owens said. "I'm ecstatic."