Chinook’s Edge bus driver and trainer heading to Texas for International Bus Road-eo

Jun 11, 2024 | 11:05 AM

Kelly Frere, a Chinook’s Edge bus driver and trainer, won first place at the 41st annual Alberta Bus Road-eo on the weekend, in Nisku.

According to Chinook’s Edge officials, there were 75 participants at the event. She will now represent Alberta at the International Bus Road-eo in Austin Texas on June 29 and 30, 2024.

When she found out she had won, Frere said, “I was so excited! I have worked really hard to improve my skills over the years and my goal is to try and do better than I did the year before. Since I won first place two years ago and was not able to attend internationals because it was canceled, I was more determined to win this year so I could represent Alberta. Making it to Internationals has always been the goal and I am so happy to have achieved it,” said Frere.

“We couldn’t be more proud,” said Corinne Varga, Transportation Director, Chinook’s Edge School Division. “Kelly’s passion is driving and training. She is one of only two in the province to train trainers with the S-endorsement. Kelly thrives on challenging herself and also won ‘most professional’ this year for receiving the highest marks on the written exam and in the first two obstacles. Kelly shares her encouragement with other Chinook’s Edge drivers and is a true mentor.”

In the past, Chinook’s Edge officials note that Frere has placed in the top 10 at the provincial level seven times. She said she has placed 7th, 5th, 4th, 2nd (two times) and first (two times).

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Frere said she started driving a school bus 24 years ago so she could stay at home with her children.

“My passion developed from there,” said Frere. “I have enjoyed all the relationships I have forged with families over the years and I believe that if you love kids, love to drive, want to become a better driver all around, and want the flexibility of being home with your children while also earning an income, then this is the best career choice.”

Of the 24 years Frere has driven a bus, the last seven have been with Chinook’s Edge

“I believe my success in the School Bus Road-eo comes from my passion for the industry, my desire to always improve and challenge myself, attention to detail, practice, a little bit of luck, and avoiding all errors,” said Frere.

Frere said she feels both excited and nervous about the international event, “but I have looked at the events for the competition and they are very similar to what we do at our local and provincial level. With the internationals being held in Texas, I will need to study up on their state laws especially for the written portion of the competition but I am up for the challenge,” she said.

Also participating in the Alberta Bus Road-eo event were Chinook’s Edge drivers Melissa Brodeur and Samantha Smith who, according to Varga, also performed very well.

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by rdnewsNOW staff

Chinook’s Edge bus driver and trainer heading to Texas for International Bus Road-eo

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