Paratransit Roadeo

2023 Florida Triple Crown Bus Roadeo

After a 3-year hiatus on March 31-April 1 Florida’s best bus operators and maintenance technicians participated in the 2023 Florida Triple Crown Bus Roadeo in Orlando, Florida. The 2023 Florida Triple Crown Roadeo once again combined the FPTA and RTAP Roadeos into a single, colossal weekend honoring all of Florida’s maintenance technicians, paratransit and fixed route operators. Over 250 competitors, judges, sponsors, guests, and dignitaries participated in the two-day event, making it a great success. The paratransit operator division included 19 cutaway drivers and 9 of those operators were competing for the first time as rookies.

The year’s event was a joint effort of the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA), the Florida Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Florida Association of Coordinated Transit Systems (FACTS) and hosted by the LYNX.

2023 Paratransit Roadeo Winners

Florida RTAP Paratransit Roadeo Winners

Above and Beyond Award Winners

2012 Above & Beyond Award Winner Dottie Higgins, VOTRAN

2012 Above & Beyond Award Winner
Dottie Higgins, VOTRAN

Between 2004 to 2012, each year at the RTAP Florida Paratransit Roadeo, the Florida Department of Transportation Public Transit Office, with the assistance of Sure-Lok, Inc., selected and recognized an exemplary Florida paratransit operator for the “Above and Beyond Award.”

The purpose of the award was to honor a driver who consistently performed in an outstanding manner and showed great care and concern for passengers with special needs.

There were three primary eligibility criteria. They were:

  1. The driver took time on a regular basis to create a safe and secure environment for passengers with special needs,
  2. The driver properly secured the mobility aid and occupant restraints, and
  3. The driver demonstrated sensitivity toward individuals with special needs.