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

MECHANICS GET THEIR TOOLS READY FOR DAY OF COMPETITION
 
Charlotte, N.C., April 24, 2009 - What does it take to keep nearly 300 buses on the road every day so tens of thousands of passengers can get to their destination?  The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has highly skilled mechanics that work 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week to get you to where you need to go.  The mechanics will put their expertise to the test in an intense competition at the annual Bus Maintenance Roadeo this Saturday, April 25, 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, five maintenance teams and three body shop teams from CATS’ Bus Operations Division (BOD) will go head-to-head in a challenging competition of speed and accuracy.  The maintenance teams will be 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 the large, front windshield on a bus and assembling a paint gun, in addition to a written exam.
 
“Our mechanics are responsible for making sure CATS’ fleet is in top shape to help keep CATS running a safe and reliable transit system,” said Reggie Arrington, CATS’ Director of Maintenance.   “Maintenance employees receive intense training on a regular basis and perform extensive inspections of our vehicles’ tires, engines, brakes and other key parts before the buses hit the streets.”
 
To learn more about CATS and its services, visit www.ridetransit.org, or call (704) 336-RIDE.