Instead, the 54-year-old will be taking a seat behind the wheel and pitting his driving skills against 26 other bus drivers as they compete for the title of bus driver of the year.
The Fairfield resident said the competition would include precision driving, passenger comfort, mechanical skills and knowledge of heavy vehicle driving laws.
Manoeuvering a bus between cones and reversing into tight places would be one of the most challenging parts of the competition, but his experience driving on the Otago Peninsula's narrow roads should stand him in good stead, he said.
Passenger comfort is also something on which Mr Budd prides himself.
"If you look in the mirror you can see if it [your driving] is not smooth. If heads are wobbling you know you're not very steady."
Mr Budd got a part-time job driving a night bus between Dunedin and Christchurch 30 years ago and has loved every year of driving since.
"Basically, I've been driving buses all my life. You sort of get hooked on it. It's the people. If you have got a good personality and get on with people and can relate to them, you meet a lot of interesting people."
Mr Budd now owns and operates the Otago Explorer.
This will be his first entry into the annual Tranzqual Bus Roadeo. It had been a "spur of the moment decision" to fill out the entry form, he said.
"I'm really looking forward to it. I think it's going to be absolutely brilliant."
Bus roadeos originated in the United States more than 40 years ago and this will be the national competition's third year in New Zealand.
