Best in Profession contest of tram drivers to open in Nizhnekamsk

KAZAN, Tatarstan, August 23 (Itar-Tass) - An All-Russia Best in
Profession contest of tram drivers, opening in Nizhnekamsk on Tuesday, has
drawn more than 30 tram-car drivers.
Electric transport vehicle drivers' competition in professional
mastery is held in Russia for a 40th time. "This year the contest is
dedicated to the 45th jubilee of Nizhnekamsk,Tatarstan's third largest
city which uses this most democrtic type of transport ," Nina Filippova,
deputy head of the of the Central Committee of the LIfe-Support System
Workers' Union, has told Itar-Tass.
The contest has attracted tram-car drivers from 29 cities--from
Kaliningrad to Irkutsk. Most of them are women. Competition is held in
five nominations. Judges are to decide on Best Master of Driving, Best
Expert on Technology, and on road traffic safety rules, taking into
consideration the passenger service culture and the knowledge of the
city's landmarks.
The first tram-car in Russia appeared in St Petersburg in 1863.
Nowadays tram services operate in 61 cities of this country. A high-speed
tram services are being established in eight cities, including Kazan, in
view of the forthcoming 2013 Student Games.
The tram sector employs about 100,000 workers, among them 20,000 tram
drivers, Filippova said. "More than a half of them are women. Young people
also appply for jobs in the tram service now," she said.
The contest is to end on Aug 26. A car is to be presented to winner.