IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jean Leier (704) 432-0496

MECHANICS PREPARE FOR BUS MAINTENANCE ROADEO
 
Charlotte, N.C., April 17, 2007 - Employees of the Charlotte Area Transit System's (CATS) Bus Operation Division (BOD) are ready to put their skills to the test for the Second Annual CATS' Bus Maintenance Roadeo Saturday, April 21, from 8 a.m. to noon.  The event will take place at the South Tryon Bus Facility, located at 3145 South Tryon Street.
 
Three maintenance teams will go head-to-head in an intense competition that tests brains and brawn.  The teams will be judged on speed and accuracy as they search for vehicle defects such as shifting issues and transmission problems.  Each team will have seven minutes to locate and diagnose each defect.  The teams will also take a written exam of 50 questions regarding proper care of transit buses.  The winning team will advance to the 2008 national competition in Austin, Texas where they will compete against other transit agencies from across the country.
 
"CATS' 325 buses traveled over 12.3 million total miles last year," said Jim Zingale, CATS' Chief Operating Officer.  "Maintenance employees receive intense training on a regular basis and perform extensive inspections of vehicles'  before they hit the streets.  The Maintenance Roadeo gives employees a chance to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that they use everyday to help CATS maintain a safe, reliable transit system."
    
Last year's local Bus Maintenance Roadeo winning team, consisting of Jim Fordham, Craig Patch and Bernard Romero, will compete next month in the 2007 International Bus Roadeo in Nashville, Tennessee.

*Media wishing to attend the event should park in the visitor area of the parking deck and make their way to the bus entrance of the South Tryon Bus Facility to check in with security.  A CATS' representative will escort you to the contest location.

For more information about CATS and its services visit, www.ridetransit.org or call (704) 336-RIDE.