For a record sixth time in eight years, AC Transit has been recognized as the nation's most outstanding public bus agency at the American Public Transportation Association meeting in Anaheim, CA. At its annual “Bus Roadeo,” in which bus operators and maintenance teams demonstrate their driving skills and knowledge, APTA has crowned AC Transit's drivers and mechanics as “The Best of the Best.”

AC Transit's Patricia Lock won first place for its Customer Service in a special competition to evaluate bus operators' courtesy, patience and know-how. In order to win, Ms. Lock had to respond to and/ or resolve unusual on-board incidents or questions involving passengers. Situations were presented with a series of play-acting scenarios. Participants were rated based on their demeanors and actions.

Winning first place in the Cummins ISL Mechanics Division were  Donald Righter, Hayward Division 6; Grant Pinkston, Emeryville Division 2, and Carlos Leyva, Hayward Division. The same team also placed 5th overall in the competition.

Also taking home honors was Jesse De La Cruz, Hayward Division 6, who placed third in the individual 40 foot bus competition.

“It means that our operators and mechanics are the most professional and that our overall bus operation is the most efficient in the country,'' said AC Transit General Manager Rick Fernandez. “It should raise passenger confidence to know we are tops and we take a lot pride in what we do.”