Post by bluelineshawn on May 10, 2007 14:43:57 GMT -8
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Wins Top Honor at 2007 International Bus Roadeo
Best Transit Bus Operator, Maintenance Crew and Grand Champion Named
News Release
May 9, 2007
Virginia Miller
202-496-4816
vmiller@apta.com
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Los Angeles, CA won the Grand Champion Award at the prestigious 32nd International Bus Roadeo held in conjunction with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Bus and Paratransit Conference in Nashville, TN this week. More than 90 public transportation systems in North America competed in this year's competition.
This honor, recognizing the men and women who keep North America's bus systems safe and efficient, is given to the bus operator and maintenance team that has the highest combined score. The winners were announced at an awards dinner on May 8th.
Second place for the Grand Champion Award was the team from San Mateo County Transit District in San Carlos, CA. Third place went to the State of Florida team, comprised of individuals from Central Florida Regional Transit Authority in Orlando, FL and from Broward County Transit in Pompano Beach, FL.
There were 75 bus operators competing in the 40-foot bus competition, a test of bus operators driving skills. The best driver in North America, winning first place was Brentt Mackie of Pierce Transit, in Tacoma, WA. Second place was won by Rendol Whidden of the State of Florida team from Broward County Transit. Edwin Freeman of San Mateo County Transit District in San Carlos, CA was awarded third place honors.
Twenty nine bus operators competed in the Operator Competition for 35-foot buses. Daniel Schmidt from Ben Franklin Transit in Richland, WA won first place as the best bus operator in North America in the 35-foot category. Oscar Mera of Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority in Bridgeport, CT won second place. Kevin Grady of San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority in San Francisco, CA earned third place.
Forty-five maintenance teams competed in the Maintenance Competition which tests mechanics' abilities to troubleshoot mechanical problems and fix them quickly. First place went to the team from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Los Angeles, CA. The team from the Sacramento Regional Transit District from Sacramento, CA earned a second place finish. Third place went to the team from the Orange County Transportation Authority in Orange County, CA.
Last year, a new best Customer Service Challenge Award was created. Judged on the competitor's professionalism, customer service skills, and problem-solving creativity, first place for the best Customer Service Challenge Award went to Richie Bell of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority in Fort Worth, TX. William Webb of the Delaware Transit Corporation earned a second place finish.
Two additional demonstration competitions took place. The winner of the MCI Multiplex module trouble-shooting event went to the maintenance team from Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas, TX. Mark Johnson of the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority in Nashville, TN won the top honor in the Operator Pre-Trip Competition, a demonstration event sponsored by New Flyer.
"The APTA International Bus Roadeo highlights the best bus operators and maintenance teams in North America," said APTA President William W. Millar. "I congratulate all the winners on their achievements. They are role models of excellence and professionalism in the transit bus industry."
APTA link
Metro press release
Best Transit Bus Operator, Maintenance Crew and Grand Champion Named
News Release
May 9, 2007
Virginia Miller
202-496-4816
vmiller@apta.com
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Los Angeles, CA won the Grand Champion Award at the prestigious 32nd International Bus Roadeo held in conjunction with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Bus and Paratransit Conference in Nashville, TN this week. More than 90 public transportation systems in North America competed in this year's competition.
This honor, recognizing the men and women who keep North America's bus systems safe and efficient, is given to the bus operator and maintenance team that has the highest combined score. The winners were announced at an awards dinner on May 8th.
Second place for the Grand Champion Award was the team from San Mateo County Transit District in San Carlos, CA. Third place went to the State of Florida team, comprised of individuals from Central Florida Regional Transit Authority in Orlando, FL and from Broward County Transit in Pompano Beach, FL.
There were 75 bus operators competing in the 40-foot bus competition, a test of bus operators driving skills. The best driver in North America, winning first place was Brentt Mackie of Pierce Transit, in Tacoma, WA. Second place was won by Rendol Whidden of the State of Florida team from Broward County Transit. Edwin Freeman of San Mateo County Transit District in San Carlos, CA was awarded third place honors.
Twenty nine bus operators competed in the Operator Competition for 35-foot buses. Daniel Schmidt from Ben Franklin Transit in Richland, WA won first place as the best bus operator in North America in the 35-foot category. Oscar Mera of Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority in Bridgeport, CT won second place. Kevin Grady of San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority in San Francisco, CA earned third place.
Forty-five maintenance teams competed in the Maintenance Competition which tests mechanics' abilities to troubleshoot mechanical problems and fix them quickly. First place went to the team from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Los Angeles, CA. The team from the Sacramento Regional Transit District from Sacramento, CA earned a second place finish. Third place went to the team from the Orange County Transportation Authority in Orange County, CA.
Last year, a new best Customer Service Challenge Award was created. Judged on the competitor's professionalism, customer service skills, and problem-solving creativity, first place for the best Customer Service Challenge Award went to Richie Bell of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority in Fort Worth, TX. William Webb of the Delaware Transit Corporation earned a second place finish.
Two additional demonstration competitions took place. The winner of the MCI Multiplex module trouble-shooting event went to the maintenance team from Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas, TX. Mark Johnson of the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority in Nashville, TN won the top honor in the Operator Pre-Trip Competition, a demonstration event sponsored by New Flyer.
"The APTA International Bus Roadeo highlights the best bus operators and maintenance teams in North America," said APTA President William W. Millar. "I congratulate all the winners on their achievements. They are role models of excellence and professionalism in the transit bus industry."
APTA link
Metro press release