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Release date: SFMTA to Host APTA Rail Conference and International Rail Rodeo *** Press Release ***Friday, May 30, 2008 SFMTA to Host APTA Rail Conference and International Rail RodeoU.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mayor Gavin Newsom and FTA Administrator James Simpson among Those to Address GatheringFrom Saturday, May 31 through Wednesday, June 4, 2008, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which operates the Municipal Railway (Muni), will host the 2008 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Rail Conference and International Rail Rodeo. The San Francisco Bay Area will be the focus of the North American rail industry for four days beginning with the International Rail Rodeo on Saturday and the Host Forum featuring the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, on Sunday, at 4:00 p.m. in Grand Ballroom A of the Hyatt Regency at 5 Embarcadero Center. In addition to the remarks from Speaker Pelosi, conference participants will hear from the head of the Federal Transit Administration, James S. Simpson (June 2, 8:00 a.m.) and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (June 2, 11:30 a.m.). SFMTA Executive Director/CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr. and Chairman of the Board of Directors Rev. Dr. James McCray, Jr. will both make presentations at plenary sessions. Rail RodeoThe Rail Rodeo competition on Saturday, May 31 at 7:00 a.m. will pit rail operators and maintenance teams against one another for the title of champion. The Rail Rodeo will be held at the SFMTA’s new Muni Metro East (MME) light rail storage and maintenance facility at 601 25th Street, which will significantly improve Muni’s light rail operations when it opens in the fall. Each Rodeo contestant uses impressive skills tested through this competition to make a significant contribution to the vitality of the rail industry every day. The teams arrived in San Francisco on Wednesday, May 28 to register and begin preparations. Twenty transit properties from throughout North America are participating this year. On Thursday and Friday, the teams are participating in orientation and practice in preparation for Saturday’s competition. The maintenance competition also includes a written exam. Rail ConferenceThe APTA Rail Conference is the largest and most comprehensive learning experience for the rail industry in North America. The conference provides tools and strategies for enhancing a transit system’s effectiveness. The more than 1,200 attendees expected to converge on San Francisco for the conference and rodeo will include transit executives, general managers, chief operating officers, chief construction officers as well as business and government leaders. SFMTA staff will participate in several forums and will host five of the technical tours. Highlights of the technical tours include an Evening Ride on a Muni historic streetcar and a tour of the Cable Car Barn. Other Bay Area transit agencies will also conduct technical tours and participate in informational sessions. All of the sessions will offer the latest information on critical topics and innovative ideas influencing the transit rail industry today. For complete details on the conference visit the APTA Web site. The conference and rodeo are open to registered attendees only. |
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