The Newsletter of the Wyoming Public Transit Association
WYTRANS Trainers specifically for transit drivers. This class is for first-time participants and/or those needing to be recertified. Rod Slocum and Teresa Fields from Thermopolis will be the instructors.      On Thursday afternoon, Faye Nash will present “Tips and Tools for Dealing with the Difficult Passenger.” Participants will be given helpful tips on how to remain calm and professional in trying situations.      John Dow, FTA Region 8 Community Planner, will speak to conference participants on Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. about the reauthorization of the Federal Transportation Act. Also on Thursday afternoon, Marge Cole and Sean Solan will review the latest FTA Drug and Alcohol Regulation updates for supervisors and managers. Keeping up with the many changes of the FTA drug and alcohol rules and procedures may seem overwhelming. Marge and Sean can assist with what policy updates need to be made, how confidential files should be maintained, and other helpful information. The new procedures for over-the-counter medications will also be discussed.      The WYTRANS Board will meet Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. All WYTRANS members are welcome to attend. Conference participants will have Thursday evening free.      On Friday, popular speaker Keith Lowry will present Conflict Resolution and Confrontation Skills. The Safe Driver class and a PASS Recertification class will also be offered.      Friday evening we will have no host refreshments beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the country and western band “Packin the Mail” will provide music for dancing and your listening enjoyment from 6 to 10 p.m.      Some very nice items will be raffled off at the conference. All conference participants are eligible for door prizes, which will be given away throughout the conference. Door prizes include handmade items such as quilts and cutting boards.      Saturday morning drivers need to report to the Bus Roadeo site at Central Wyoming College at 9 a.m. for a wheelchair securement workshop before the bus roadeo. The bus roadeo will begin at 10 a.m. to avoid hot afternoon temperatures.      Just before 10 a.m., contestants will draw num-	bers for the driving order and judges and contestants will walk through the driving course. Awards will be presented to the top five bus roadeo contestants.      The first-place bus roadeo winner will receive a jacket, $500 cash, and a trip to CTAA’s 2005 National Bus Roadeo and EXPO. Second place will receive $250; third $100; fourth $75; and fifth-place $50. If the first-place winner cannot attend the National Bus Roadeo, the trip will be offered to the second-place winner, etc.      WYTRANS will hold a Driver/Escort Competition at the 2004 Bus Roadeo on Saturday. The event requires the escort and driver to load and unload a passenger using the lift, and to secure the passenger in the vehicle while being timed. All transit drivers and escorts are eligible to compete in the contest.      The bus roadeo will conclude around 2 p.m. Drivers and judges will then meet at the Riverton Senior Center for a barbecue. The bus roadeo results will be announced at the barbecue along with WYTRANS annual award winners.      Some bus vendors and a transit software company will be on hand with their newest equipment and the latest technology. The conference is a great place to network with other managers and drivers, and you don’t want to miss it.      The phone number for reservations at the Holiday Inn is 307-856-8100. Conference participants need to make reservations by June 8. Be sure to tell the hotel you are with WYTRANS to receive the special rate of $55.      Please register as soon as possible for the classes. Call Steve or Debbie at 307-266-2524 or e-mail Debbie at <debe@wlcwyo.com> if you have any questions.
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Wyoming Transit Express 2 May 2004