Driving a vehicle that weighs at least 10 to 15 tons, carrying a couple dozen passengers and travelling through traffic is what the city's VIA bus drivers face everyday. And, it's not an easy task to do.
This past Saturday I didn't have to worry about passengers or traffic, but I did have to worry about dragging a few orange cones and knocking down huge empty barrels.
It was the annual VIA Roadeo on the parking lot of Wolff Stadium, and I was one of the the invited "celebrities" asked to join in on the fun.
From a local Mayor, to Councilmembers, to a radio personality, we got the unique opportunity to drive a VIA bus. To be honest it was the first time I had ever stepped foot inside San Antonio's well-known source of transportation, but I was ready to take on the challenge.
It started with Friday's practice run. VIA officials allowed us to practice a couple times around the designated course. The first run I watched my bus driver manuever through some tight spots. Then it was my turn to practice. My first try around the cones and barrels, and veteran driver Richard Campos advised me to imagine what kind of situation I was in. Some of the scenarios included picking up passengers at the bus stop, driving through a narrow street with parked cars on both sides, or making sudden stops before hitting a pedestrian. He even mentioned, "pretend that cone is a Mercedes and you don't want to hit." No problem! I had to handle the bus with care, yet pay close attention to my surroundings.
I tried my best to soak in his advice throughout the day and into the next, so I wouldn't make mistakes during the actual challenge.
Saturday afternoon came around and it was time to put my game face on.
From a more elaborate bus course, to a race on how to maintain the bus, the Roadeo was already underway. There were classic cars on display, activities for the kids and employees participated in their own challenges. The "Celebrity" part was the big finale. I couldn't help but feeling nervous.
Some of us arrived earlier to do more practice runs. Instead, I stood and waited for the event to begin.
One by one, we jumped into our buses - the Mayor of Balcones Heights, City Councilmembers from Leon Valley and San Antonio's District 6, a VIA Board Member. Then it was my turn.
Assigned to me once again was veteran bus driver Richard Campos. We got on... engine had already started and I released the brake. Away we go!
The first station was a breeze. Try to squeeze the bus in a 45-degree angle through two narrow cones without knocking one down.
Good job. We did it. But wait, someone comes to our window and says, "you have to go back, we're waiting for this bus to move, you have to start over." NO!!! I have to do it again!?
So we go through the first station again. I heard in my party of three... UGH!!! I knocked down a cone. That's 10 points off.
The next station was a passenger stop. The object was to get as close as you can to the curb as if your "passengers" were getting on the bus. "Whew!" I heard. Only six inches away from the front wheel to the curb. The back wheel was a little farther, but still okay.
The next few stations were a blur because the nerves kicked in. I went from something called the serpentine to the off-set to the straight away. One cone... two cones... three cones down. The fourth station had a clean turn into a tight spot and I felt I was still doing fine.
That is, until I hit the second to last station. It was the trickiest of them all. The toughest part of the course in my mind.
The object was to drive the bus through two rows of empty barrels - five on each side - at a top speed of 20 miles per hour, without knocking one down. Let's just say this part of the course set me back.
One... two... three... four. They all came down. Then I had to break suddenly in front of a bright neon cone. You had to be at least 6 inches from the cone. I was 14 inches away. Not bad!
By the time the challenge was over, it was time to award the winners. VIA's employees who participated in their own contests were awarded some prizes... many of them received plaques and beautiful trophies. Some were repeat winners!
As for the celebrities? VIA board member Manny Palaez took home the first place prize, while District 6 councilmember Ray Lopez won second place and Latin Fusion TV's Brandy Lopez also took home a prize.
As for me? I didn't have bragging rights for winning, but bragging rights that I sat behind the wheel of a bus - the city's important mode of transportation. Most of all, I took home a newfound respect for those who drive those buses everyday and make sure we arrive to our destination safely.
