Reigning international bus driving champion and Capital Metro Bus Operator Arthur Murillo will drive to defend his title at the 2009 International Bus Roadeo, May 2, in Seattle.
MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION::
| Adam Shaivitz | Erica McKewen |
| (512) 369-6027 | (512) 369-6085 |
| (512) 844-5153 cell | (512) 401-7665 cell |
Three-time international bus roadeo champion and Capital Metro Bus Operator Arthur Murillo to try for four
Capital Metro and StarTran, Inc., to be well represented at international competition April 21, 2009NEWS FACTS
- Three Capital Metro bus and paratransit van operators will compete nationally and internationally in May after winning top honors in the 2009 Texas State Roadeo, April 18, in Dallas.
- Three-time international bus roadeo champion and Capital Metro Bus Operator Arthur Murillo will defend his international title at the American Public Transportation Association 2009 International Bus Roadeo in Seattle, Washington, on Sunday, May 2, 2009.
- Murillo is one of only three bus operators in the nation who have won the international title three times. Murillo won in 2002, 2005, and 2008.
- Bus operator Abdelkader Tenouri, another veteran international competitor who won Capital Metro's local roadeo, placed second in the State Roadeo, and is the reigning 3rd place winner in the international competition, will also travel to Seattle to compete.
- MetroAccess Van Operator Ted Ward also won first-place at the State Roadeo this past weekend and will compete nationally on May 31, at the 2009 National Community Transportation Roadeo in Providence, Rhode Island. Last year Ward placed 6th nationally.
- At the Texas State Roadeo, Capital Metro racked up two first-place, one second-place, and one third-place trophies in competitions against other Texas public transportation agencies.
- The prestigious roadeo competition showcases the skills of operators and mechanics throughout the nation and fosters safety, professionalism and general excellence in transit operations.
- Participation in the roadeo competitions reinforces the ongoing safety and customer service training that all StarTran, Inc., bus and van operators receive to drive for Capital Metro.
Capital Metro Competitors, 2009 TEXAS STATE ROADEO
| 40-Foot Bus Competition | |
| Tony Payton | 3rd Place |
| 35-Foot Bus Competition | |
| Arthur Murillo | 1st Place |
| Abdelkader Tenouri | 2nd Place |
| Paratransit Van Competition | |
| Ted Ward | 1st Place |
| Vehicle Maintenance Competition | |
| Mike Clements, Phillip OżNeal and Gary Hosea | 5th Place |
MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS
For more information about the 2009 International Bus Roadeo, visit
http://www.apta.com/conferences_calendar/seattle_shared/ataglance_roadeo_09.cfm.
For more information about the 2009 National Community Transportation Roadeo, visit
http://web1.ctaa.org/webmodules/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=1237.
QUOTES
- "We set a high bar for customer service and safety at Capital Metro, and work closely with all of our service providers to achieve excellence everyday out on the streets in the community. It should be no surprise to our riders that we have state and international bus driving champions in our ranks."
-- Fred Gilliam, President and CEO, Capital Metro
ABOUT CAPITAL METRO Capital Metro's mission is to provide quality public transportation choices for our community that meet the needs of our growing region. With the highest per capita ridership in Texas, Capital Metro serves more than 3,000 bus stops with metro, flyer and express routes, downtown `Dillo circulator routes and UT Shuttle service. Capital Metro also provides MetroAccess service for passengers with disabilities, van and carpool coordination, and freight rail service.
Capital MetroRail is a new passenger rail system expected to begin soon between the City of Leander and the Convention Center in Downtown Austin. MetroRail is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan that includes expanded local and express bus service, MetroRapid bus service, and new and improved park and ride lots. For more information, including an online trip planner and a commute cost calculator, visit www.capmetro.org or call (512) 474-1200.
SAFETY TIP OF THE DAY
As an added precaution, children should only exit the bus through the front door.
# # #
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200