Champion Named When Local TV Personalities Burn Rubber for METRO Rodeo

Press Release New Metro Going Places
 

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Release Date: Oct. 9, 2015

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The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, reliable and affordable transportation services about 370,000 times per day. Besides operating more than 1,200 buses on a New Bus Network, METRORail's expanded system includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), Green Line (East End) and Purple Line (Southeast). METRO’s services also include: STAR VanpoolMETROLiftHOV lanesHOT lanesBikes-on-Buses/Trains program, Park & Ride, and road improvement projects. Learn more about METRO services at ridemetro.org where you will also find information about our T.R.I.P. app, Next Bus Arrival texting and the new digital, interactive rider tool METRO 360 [take a seat].  

   

TV Traffic Reporters Battle for METRO Rodeo Championship

The 2015 METRO Rodeo included familiar faces for the bus obstacle course.  KHOU's Darby Douglas, KTRK's Rebecca Spera and Katherine Whaley, KTMD's Ligia Uriarte and KRIV's Ruben Dominguez navigated orange cones and raced past big blue barrels in the hopes of earning the title "2015 METRO Traffic Reporter Rodeo Champion."

It is the same course on which METRO bus operators compete.  Four-time national bus rodeo champion Charlie Kennedy, Sr. trained the on-air talent. 

Watch each personality practice for one hour in a 40 foot METRO bus before the competition. Judges scores were based on a number of factors including accuracy maneuvering around cones and barrels, and overall driving skills.

The annual event was held this afternoon at METRO's Field Service Center on 1250 Labco Street, Houston, TX. 77029.

In the end, only one winner would be crowned:

kat behind the wheel

1st place Katherine Whaley, KTRK

2nd place Rebecca Spera, KTRK

3rd place Ligia De Uriarte, KTMD

4th place Darby Douglas, KHOU

5th place Ruben Dominguez, KRIV


metro rodeo winners circle

Bus operator trainers pose with celebrity competitors. 


RODEO ACTION SHOTS

rodeo group shot

These TV personalities weren't just spinning their wheels on training day.  They got a big boost from National Champ and METRO Bus Operator Trainer Charlie Kennedy, Sr.