COOS BAY - Ed Johnson doesn't wear a cowboy hat or spurs, but that doesn't mean he isn't an accomplished rodeo rider.

After 16 years with Laidlaw Transit Inc. and other bus companies in the Coos Bay area, Johnson's won the state and regional school bus driver safety competitions, or school bus “road-eos,” four times. His trusty steed can seat more than a dozen students and although the big yellow bus won't be barrel racing, the competitions are just as exhilarating as any traditional rodeo, Johnson said with a big smile.

The winner of this year's state and regional competitions, Johnson was invited to the 37th-annual International School Bus Driver Safety Competition in Boston last month, where he competed against drivers from throughout the nation and Canada in driving buses through obstacle courses and completing safety exercises. Johnson didn't come home with the international title, but glowed with pride as he showed off his many other trophies on a shelf in the company garage.

“Whew!” Johnson said, shaking his head. “(The competition) was really intense. But if I can make it, I'll go again. I look forward to it all year.”

Johnson is one of two mechanics on staff at Laidlaw, but like many employees at the company, he also is a certified school bus driver. When one of the drivers is sick, or there's an evening game at North Bend, Johnson gladly hops into the driver's seat.

Crumpling his cap in his hands, Johnson smoothed the wrinkles before crumpling the fabric again, as he talked animatedly about braving the contest's exams and challenges in an oversized school bus.

The international “road-eo” challenged Johnson and the other contestants with lengthy obstacle courses, where drivers are required to maneuver large transit buses, which carry more than 65 people, into slim alleyways, along simulated roadways and through complex exercises. Specific challenges such as the “serpentine,” included an S-shaped alleyway that contestants were required to navigate but were penalized if the tires touched a curb. Drivers also had to complete a written exam that included more than 100 questions on school bus safety.

“In the contests, the competition is pretty keen,” Johnson said. “But as you get to know the other drivers, whether they're from the state or international, you get to be like a family.”

In the past 13 years, Laidlaw has sent local drivers to the international competition seven times. Johnson has attended the state contest and international competition four times.

“For a pretty small area out here, I think we're doing pretty well,” Johnson said, the edges of his light blue eyes crinkling as he smiled.

Even for a company with a better than average safety record, the Coos Bay drivers have demonstrated great safety prowess in the state, regional and international rodeos, said Pat Robertson, manager at the local Laidlaw office.

“I think it's because of our training program. We have a great safety program at Laidlaw, that keeps the drivers interested and challenged,” Robertson said.

The 47 local routes Laidlaw buses travel may be a bit more treacherous than those in larger cities, and, Robertson said, that's exactly why it's so important to have experienced and well trained drivers at the helm.

Getting to school safely

In the Laidlaw garage, Johnson is surrounded by the yellow behemoths as he patches windows, repairs minor damage and gives the buses a checkup. In preparation for the beginning of school in a few weeks, the buses have been undergoing a lot of routine maintenance as well as regular repairs, Johnson said.

But as the staff gets the buses ready to go back on the road, Johnson's in his element - tinkering around with engine parts in the garage and humming a hymn under his breath.

A former Weyerhaeuser employee, Johnson said he joined Laidlaw after the mill closed and has been very happy in his position at the bus company. With a mischievous grin on his face, Johnson said he enjoys driving the kids as much as working on the 60 buses owned by the company - although one task is a bit quieter than the other.

“I enjoy having the children with me. They're all good kids,” he said. “Sometimes in the evening, I'm the only one around and they need to go to an athletic event, so I'll just take them on over there.”

While the bus rodeo is an annual event, the training at Laidlaw is an ongoing process. During regular in-service days at Coos Bay schools, the bus drivers and trainers team up for refresher courses on safety and other driving tips. Robertson said the staff always is eager to learn and do what's best for the students.

Despite the top-notch education the drivers receive from the on-site trainers, some of the drivers will gather at the end of the school year in an open parking lot to practice for the upcoming rodeos, Johnson said.

“We put up our own obstacle courses, usually at the K-Mart,” he said with a chuckle. “Sometimes, we even put things closer to the road than they do at the competition. Sometimes we got some crazy buses going up there!

“But it gives us an edge,” he added with a wink.

With any luck, it's an edge that will hold up next year to help Johnson continue his personal best, scoring 615 out of 725 possible points at the state competition.

“The trophies aren't just for me, they're for everyone and I couldn't do it on my own,” Johnson said. “The most important thing is to get the kids to school safely. That's where the safety rodeos come in handy, because it keeps our driving fresh.”