Top Rail Transit Operator and Maintenance Teams Named at 2005 APTA Rail Rodeo Competition

June 6, 2005

Contacts: Virginia Miller (202) 496-4816 vmiller@apta.com

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WSoutheastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) won the prestigious Rail Transit Achievement Award at the Thirteenth Annual Rail Rodeo, held in conjunction with the American Public Transportation Association's Rail Transit Conference in Pittsburgh, PA. The winners were announced today. SEPTA's winning team included: Gerald Holland (Operator), Adrian Mapp (Operator), James Pham (Maintainer), Jason Rickert (Maintainer), and Charles Schoen (Maintainer).

This top honor recognizes the men and women who keep North America's rail transit systems operating safely and efficiently. It is given to the operator and maintainer team that has the highest score of all competing rail transit systems.

The Operators Competition measures professional skills including: train operation; knowledge of safety regulations; train equipment; and track right-of-way rules and procedures.

First place in the Operators Competition went to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority whose winning operators were Bbupinder ("Larry") Bajwa and Gary Marquardt. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority earned a second place finish. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority won third place.

The Maintainers Competition judges the ability to troubleshoot maintenance problems. Maryland Transit Authority earned first place in this competition. The winning maintainers were Frank Fritzinger, Brian Heck and Elmer Nickens. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority earned second place. Third place went to the MTA New York City Transit.

The Rail Rodeo Competition is designed to encourage excellence and professionalism in rail transit operations. A total of 18 of North America's finest rail transit systems with 31 operators and 38 maintainers participated. The competition was held June 4 at South Hills Village Rail Center in Pittsburgh.

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APTA is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions, and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services and products. Over ninety percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA members.