The St. Louis-based Bi-State Development Agency won the prestigious Rail Transit Team Achievement Award at the 20th annual American Public Transportation Association (APTA) International Rail Rodeo held in conjunction with the 2012 APTA Rail Conference in Dallas.

The Rail Transit Team Achievement Award is given to the system with the highest rail operator and maintainer team combined score. The winning team members were Robert Yawn, Christina Hicks, Chris Lynch, Kevin Moore and Matt Fisher. Thirteen public transportation systems from across North America competed for this honor, recognizing the men and women who keep rail systems safe and efficient.

“I congratulate all the 2012 International Rail Rodeo winners, all of whom are stellar role models to their peers nationwide,” said APTA President/CEO Michael Melaniphy. “They are the best of the best in rail operations and maintenance.”

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 was won by Devon Brumfield and Antaeus Chandler of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Bi-State Development Agency operators Robert Yawn and Christina Hicks placed second. The team of Sheila Celestain and Carolyn Kelly from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority took third-place honors.

The Maintainers’ Competition judges the ability to troubleshoot maintenance problems. The Denver Regional Transportation District earned first place with the maintainer team of George Sweeney and Kevin Steele. Bi-State Development Agency won second place with the team of Chris Lynch, Kevin Moore and Matt Fisher. The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District’s (BART) maintainer team of Mike Seeley, Gary Candrell and Ted Christian won third place.

The APTA International Rail Rodeo Competition is designed to encourage excellence and professionalism in rail transit operations. The competition was held at DART’s Northwest Rail Operation Facility in Dallas.

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