The IATR is saddened by the news that Rick Hewatt passed away Friday, February 20, 2026. Rick served as a prominent leader in the taxi industry and held the position of President at Checker Cab Company, where he demonstrated a strong commitment to both the industry's development and fostering support for independent operators. He was recognized as the operator of the year by The Transportation Alliance (TTA) and went on to serve as TTA President in 2009 and as TTA Foundation President in 2014. Bold and forward-thinking Rick came up with the 2009 convention theme of “Work Hard, Play Hard.”

He was also a longtime member and past president of the Transportation Limousine Paratransit Association (TLPA), where he helped shape and strengthen the industry he cared so much about and served on the Board of Directors for the Southeastern Railway Museum.

Matt Daus, IATR President, said, “We are shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former TTA President Rick Hewatt. I first met Rick in the early 2010s during the app ride-hail battles, and it was an honor to be in the trenches with him in Atlanta so many times. In addition to serving as TTA President during a volatile time for the taxi industry, he was a gracious host during the 2020 TTA Atlanta conference at the height of the pandemic, when many were uncertain about the future. Rick respected and worked with our IATR regulator members, and he was widely respected among the regulatory community well beyond Georgia. His wit, hard work, and good humor inspired those who have worked with him over the years, and his famous motto of ‘Work Hard – Play Hard’ is a creed that he lived by, and which all should live by. Whether it was cracking a hearty joke or a smile, or sharing his amazing BBQ cooking skills and food (not to mention his ‘Cabilicious’ 3 Taxi Guys BBQ sauce), he always seemed to try to make the most out of enjoying every day of his life, while encouraging others to do the same. While Rick left us way too early and unexpectedly, his life was filled with meaning and purpose, and he leaves behind an amazing legacy and a beautiful family to help keep his memory alive. May you rest in peace, Rick Hewatt. You have succeeded in making everyone and everything you touched, truly ‘Cabilicious’, just like you!” 

Al LaGasse, former TTA CEO, said, “Rick Hewatt, President of TTA in 2009, set a new standard for connection and camaraderie through his gregarious and unpretentious personality. Members didn’t just attend events under his leadership, they experienced them. His bold “Work Hard, Play Hard” theme for the unforgettable 2009 Las Vegas convention perfectly captured his spirit. The event was not only productive but genuinely fun, a reflection of the energy he brought to every room. Rick was truly one of a kind. His legacy lives on in the memories and friendships he helped create.”

Ira Goldstein Executive Director of The Black Car Fund, said, “Rick was a true salt of the earth guy. When I first got involved in the transportation industry, he was one of the giants I looked up to. He built a reputation not just through hard work, but through character. Around a smoker, he was in his element. He loved talking about his barbeque ventures and took real pride in them. He left his mark on this industry and on the people in it. He will be sorely missed.”

Rick was passionate about BBQ, and as part of “3 Taxi Guys,” competed on the national BBQ circuit. He was in the top ten at six BBQ World Championships, including a second-place finish. He brought the same dedication and drive to his mastery of BBQ as he did his mastery of transportation.

Our heartfelt sympathies to his loving wife of 42 years, Kathryn Hewatt; his children, Lauren Hewatt, Richard (Lina) Hewatt II, and Tristan (Kelsey) Hewatt; his grandchildren; and his extended family members, colleagues, and dear friends.

In his memory, “Work hard, play hard.”

Image: Reason

The Superior Court for the District of Columbia reinstated its contempt orders against rideshare alternative Empower and its CEO Joshua Sear on Friday, resuming daily multi-thousand-dollar fines against the company and Sear. With no clear path to continue operations, it seems likely that Empower will be forced to cease operations, depriving thousands of independent drivers and money-conscious riders in and around D.C. of a convenient, inexpensive transportation option.

The battle between the rideshare company and district officials has been years in the making and has centered around the legality of Empower's operations in the city. Empower originally argued that it is not a private vehicle-for-hire company—and is thus not subject to certain district regulations and fees—because it did not employ drivers.

In October 2025, Empower ended any and all contractual relationships with riders and drivers in the district. The company argued this action removed it from the Department of For-Hire Vehicles' (DFHV) jurisdiction, as the district code defines private vehicle-for-hire companies as those "that uses digital dispatch to connect passengers to a network of private vehicle-for-hire operators," and operators as those who "provide private vehicle-for-hire service in contract with a private vehicle-for-hire company" (emphasis added). 

The Superior Court didn't buy Empower's argument, but stayed its contempt orders while Empower petitioned the D.C. Court of Appeals. Then, in November, and again in February, the D.C. Council updated the definition of private vehicle-for-hire operator to clarify that no contract is required between an operator and a private vehicle-for-hire company for either to qualify as such.

Source: Reason

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NYPA, Port Authority Install Fast EV Chargers at Laguardia Airport

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India, Canada to Deepen Cooperation in Transportation, Boost Connectivity

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Transport Canada Union Raising Concerns over Lackluster Transparency

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Bolt Launches Mayo Taxi Service as Part of 21-County Rollout

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South Gloucestershire Proposes New Fees for Taxi and Private Hire Licences

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Concerns over Wolverhampton Taxis in Portsmouth

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Dubai Taxi to Launch Its First Self-Driving Ride Next Month

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E-Mobility Companies in Nigeria and Kenya Are Assembling Electric Vans and Taxis from Chinese EV Kits

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Doug Bermudez, Chief of EASY Card and Customer Experience at the Miami-Dade County Department of Transit and Public Works (DTPW)

Doug Bermudez recently celebrated 21 years of being with the Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works including the last 15 as the Chief of EASY Card and Customer Experience within the Office of Innovation and Mobility Services. Through his work Doug has been on the forefront of using technology to better the experience for the riding public including implementing a customer-first strategy for EASY Card, Online Transit store, Go Miami App, Open payments, and digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Fitbit Pay) and managing the various touchpoints such as sales centers, e-commerce, and offices of Lost and Found and Golden Passport Services.

Doug is actively engaged in transportation research and policy development. He serves on multiple Transportation Research Board (TRB) research panels and is Chair of the TCRP A-55 Panel on the Travel Behavior and Financial Impacts of Fare Capping, contributing to national research on fare policy, equity, and financial sustainability. He also serves as Second Vice-Chair of APTA’s Fare Collection Systems Committee and is the Lead Liaison for Miami-Dade County for CoMotion Miami, coordinating cross-agency participation and helping shape program content related to technology, innovation, and mobility.

He is on the forefront of advanced transportation services and is a leading voice on urban mobility and emerging technologies, and has spoken at Designing Cities, CoMotion, and various IATR conferences, including leading last year’s first-ever Mobility Movement Innovation Challenge.

Matt Daus, President of the IATR, said, “I am pleased to appoint Doug Bermudez as co-chair of the IATR’s Innovation & Technology Committee. Doug and the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW) have been active members of the IATR for several years now and have been great supporters of multi-modal innovation and technology. We are thankful to Miami-Dade for hosting our 2024 annual conference, and congratulate Doug in particular for the many positive changes he has made in the Miami-Dade/Ft. Lauderdale area, especially the EASY card Fare Collection Initiative. He has not only been a true friend and partner, but an active volunteer who has helped the IATR organize innovation challenges and other projects, while building IATR partnerships and relationships with other regulators and mobility organizations. Frankly, given his role as Chief of Innovation & Mobility Services for Miami-Dade DTPW, it is a perfect fit to work side-by-side with our former IATR Regulator of the Year and current IATR Innovation Committee Chair, Jarvis Murray. I want to thank Jarvis for his prior service, and for his continued commitment as the now co-chair of this committee, where both Doug and Jarvis will work closely to get involved in even more meetings and projects. Over the years, our experiment in having IATR committee co-chairs has worked out perfectly, allowing for collaborative leadership and continuity of services to our members, given the busy schedules IATR regulators have with their day jobs. Congrats, Doug and Jarvis, and thank you on behalf of all IATR members for your continued commitment to the IATR.”

Jarvis Murray, Commercial Rideshare and Mobility Administrator at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) & Co-Chair of the IATR Technology and Innovation Committee, said, "The IATR Technology and Innovation Committee is pleased to announce Doug Bermudez as the new Co-Chair of the Committee. Doug has worked tirelessly to advance and implement new technology for Miami Dade County, always with an eye towards improving the rider experience. We look forward to having his expertise and insights on our committee."

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