Unitrans Training Supervisor Hurley Atchinson keeps an eye on student driver Beverly Bovey as she attempts a manuever in reverse during a driving skills challenge held Sunday morning on campus in lot 53. More than 30 Unitrans bus drivers competed against each other and the clock for the opportunity to represent UC Davis at the Northern Bay Regional Transit Association finals in September. The top five drivers advance to the prestigious competition to compete with drivers from seven other transit agencies. "The main focus is to let drivers practice and sharpen their bus driving skills, which makes them safer and better on the road," Atchinson says. Below, Kimberly Mason negotiates a tight corner amid the cones during Sunday's driving skills contest. Unitrans -- with about 160 drivers and 45 buses -- is believed to be the largest public transit service run by students in the United States. Drivers receive 15 hours of classroom instruction and 25 hours of training behind the wheel.
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Amy Agronis, Dateline, (530) 752-1932, abagronis@ucdavis.edu