But three Citibus Newton drivers reckon the frustrations of city driving will help them compete against some of the best drivers in the business for the title of Bus Driver of the Year.
Drivers Brenda Gordon, Read Hudson and Richard Roberts are among 24 New Zealand drivers to compete in the three-day 2010 Tranzqual Bus Roadeo, held in Dunedin before the Bus and Coach Association's annual conference.
The three-day Roadeo, which is being hosted by Citibus at the Edgar Centre from today, tests drivers' manoeuvering skills, road knowledge, customer service, and their knowledge of bus mechanics.
The Dunedin team, which has not been in a Roadeo before, trained by watching past events on video and by taking their 13m long work-horses around special courses laid out in the company's yard.
They had plenty of road experience - some 70 years between them - and were sure the short stops and traffic cones of the "intimidating" course would be similar to driving in Dunedin.
Bus and Coach Association chief executive Raewyn Bleakley said the hotly contested Roadeo recognised the high level of skill required to be a bus driver.
The conference sessions start on Monday, when Transport Minister Steven Joyce and Labour and Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson will address delegates.
