"It's an honor. It makes you feel good to know all the work and training we do to do our job right, pays off," said Price.
Drivers attend monthly trainings which cover topics including CPR, first aide and preventative vehicle maintenance.
Price has been driving for public transit more than six years. He has been driving the Road to Work Shuttle bus for almost three years.
Price will represent the Chickasaw Nation and Oklahoma in June in the National Paratransit Roadeo in Indianapolis.
Co-worker Ray Meely competed, for the first time, in the Mini Van Category and was awarded fourth place.
Meely, of Sulphur, has worked for the Chickasaw Nation Transportation department for about eight years."We are very proud of Mr. Price and Mr. Meely for their accomplishments, as well as the other Chickasaw Nation Transportation Service drivers who serve our community everyday.
Our drivers participate in many hours of training to ensure we provide our clients and riders with the safest and most efficient transportation available," said Rick Miller, Chickasaw Nation Road to Work program manager.
During the competition, drivers traverse an obstacle course which includes 11 different vehicle maneuvers. Drivers must complete the driving course in less than seven minutes to qualify for an award.
Drivers are also scored in three other categories: the proper use of a wheelchair lift; conducting a pre-trip vehicle safety inspection; and must pass a written examination on rules of the road.
An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper accompanied each driver on the obstacle course grading smoothness, signaling and observing safety measures. Oklahoma County Sheriff's Deputies timed one event for proper speed related to a judgment stop.
The event was sponsored by the Oklahoma Transit Association, a non-profit organization representing public and tribal transit systems.
1st Oklahoma Transit Driving Championship Results
Shuttle Bus Category
Mini Van Category
