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

MECHANICS GET THEIR TOOLS READY FOR CATS'  BUS MAINTENANCE ROADEO
First year for Body Shop Competition

Charlotte, N.C., April 16, 2008 - Mechanics will put their skills to the test in an intense, but friendly day of competition when the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) holds its annual Bus Maintenance Roadeo on Saturday, April 19, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.  The event will take place at the South Tryon Bus Facility, located at 3145 South Tryon Street.

During this year's Roadeo, four maintenance teams and two body shop teams from CATS' Bus Operations Division (BOD) will go head-to-head in a challenging competition to test their skills.  The maintenance teams will be judged on speed and accuracy as they are given seven minutes to locate and diagnose vehicle defects such as shifting issues and transmission problems.  They will also be given a written exam that tests their knowledge on how to properly care for and maintain transit buses.  The body shop teams will be tested on their speed and precision in replacing a window shield and assembling a paint gun, in addition to a written exam.

The winning team will advance to the national competition in Seattle, Washington next year, where they will compete against other maintenance teams from transit agencies across the country.

"Our mechanics are responsible for making sure CATS' fleet is in tip-top shape by performing extensive inspections of our vehicles' tires, engines, brakes and other key parts before they hit the streets," said Jim Zingale, CATS' Chief Operating Officer.

"Maintenance employees receive intense training on a regular basis and the Maintenance Roadeo gives them a chance to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they use everyday to help keep CATS running a safe and reliable transit system."

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