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Metro’s Board of Commissioners Recognizes MetroLink Team Members For Earning Top Honors at 2012 APTA International Rail Rodeo

Dianne Williams
Director of Communications
314-982-1440

ST. LOUIS, MO., August 3, 2012… Metro’s Board of Commissioners honored Metro team members for capturing first place in the prestigious Rail Transit Team Achievement Award at the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 20th annual International Rail Rodeo.

The Rail Transit Team Achievement Award is designed to recognize the best of the best in rail operations and maintenance and is given annually to the transit system with the highest rail operator team and maintainer team combined score. Winning team members from Metro for 2012 were MetroLink operators Robert Yawn and Christina Hicks, and MetroLink Electromechanics Chris Lynch, Kevin Moore and Matt Fisher.

Metro’s team members competed against representatives from 13 transportation systems from across North America. Maintainers were judged on their ability to troubleshoot light rail maintenance problems, while operators participated in a competition which measured a variety of professional skills, including train operation, knowledge of safety regulations, train equipment and track right-of-way rules and procedures.

During Metro’s board meeting on July 27, each team member received an individual proclamation from Metro President & CEO John Nations and Chief of MetroLink Operations Scott Grott. A group proclamation was also presented to MetroLink Operator Training Specialist Etta Gibson and MetroLink Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor Stanley Niemeier, who helped prepare the team members for their competitions.

“Metro is proud to have won APTA’s Rail Transit Team Achievement Award in 2000 and 2002, and we’re thrilled that our employees once again demonstrated excellence under pressure by winning it again in 2012,” said Metro President and CEO John Nations. “This is an important honor because it recognizes the men and women who keep our rail systems safe and efficient. We know our employees are outstanding and Metro is proud to employ an incredibly talented and professional operations and maintenance team who are recognized as the best of the best among their peers. We thank them for the exceptional service and dedication they bring to our Agency and the community at-large.”