From Left: Victoria Sheehan, Executive Director of TRB; Matt Daus, President, IATR; Seval Oz, USDOT Office of the Secretary Research and Technology, Senior Advisor, Assistant Secretary Nominee; Michael Rutherford, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy at U.S. DOT at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

During the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Week in Washington, D.C., Matt Daus, President of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR), was invited by H.E. Szabolcs Takács, Ambassador of Hungary to the United States, and his spouse Ms. Emese Gaál, for an exclusive breakfast at the Embassy of Hungary, along with leadership from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and TRB. The purpose of this small gathering of key international leaders was to discuss the upcoming Transport Research Arena (TRA) set to take place in Budapest from May 18–21, 2026.

This world-class event will feature participation from over 70 countries, attract thousands of attendees, and has already received more than 1,500 abstracts for consideration. Key themes for the conference include designing transportation systems that promote safe, accessible, and shared mobility; identifying pathways toward zero-emission, climate-neutral modes of transport; enhancing advanced networks through artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies; and leveraging data to better understand and improve the functioning and adaptability of transportation systems.

As Europe's largest transport research and innovation conference, TRA will transform Budapest into a forum where academics, government representatives, regulators and policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders from every mode of transport—road, rail, water, air, and even space—can come together to strengthen their connections.

IATR is dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Hungarian Ministry of Construction and Transport, ECTRI, and other partners in ensuring TRA 2026 is a success. During the TRB Conference and at the Embassy event, TRB leadership acknowledged IATR and its new partnership with TRB to work together on key initiatives – like the TRA. 

To learn more about TRA 2026, visit https://traconference.eu/.

From Left: Midori Valdivia, Nominee to be Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission; Matt Daus, President, IATR

Matt Daus, President of the International Association of Transportation Regulators, and former NYC TLC Commissioner/Chair/CEO, said, 

“Congratulations to my friend and colleague Midori Valdivia on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s nomination to serve as our next NYC Taxi & Limousine Commissioner/Chair. As the longest serving Chair myself, I know exactly how challenging this job is firsthand. Without question, Midori definitely has an amazing skill set and probably has more diverse prior multi-modal mobility experience than every chair before her. She is hardworking, dedicated, ethical, and — with her prior management experience — knows how to do the job, and is ready to lead. 

I would like to also thank my friend and outgoing Commissioner David Do, who stabilized this agency and promoted so many great environmental initiatives and Vision Zero efforts. Not only does David know Midori well, but everyone in the industry should be pleased to know that he has pledged a smooth transition. 

While the industry has no shortage of stakeholders and opinions, the keys to success are having the right experience and temperament, and to engage with everyone — even if there is a policy disagreement. I am confident that Midori will take the agency to the next level. I have worked with her in the past in the private sector, and I look forward to embracing and supporting her candidacy before the NYC Council, and, thereafter, working with her as a member and supporter of the IATR. 

Congratulations and Godspeed to our next TLC Chair, Midori Valdivia!”

From Left: David Do, Former Commissioner and Chair, NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission; Matt Daus, President, IATR

Florida DOT Hosts Meeting for U.S. 90 Trail Study

Citizens are invited to participate in a meeting concerning a study in Okaloosa County. According to a news release, the Florida Department of Transportation will be hosting a hybrid meeting over the U.S. 90 Shared-Use Trail PD&E Study in Okaloosa County on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 5:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m. … The reason for the study is to “improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, enhance trail connectivity, provide additional recreational benefits, and promote economic development by supporting non-motorized modes of transportation and supporting the Shared-Use Non-motorized (SUN) Trail Program,” the release said.

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U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Whether NJ Transit Can Be Sued Out-of-State

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday weighed whether New Jersey Transit qualifies as an arm of the state — and thus immune from out‑of‑state lawsuits — in a case that could reshape how states structure public corporations. Two personal injury lawsuits against New Jersey Transit Corporation for accidents outside New Jersey were consolidated into a single Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday. In Colt v. New Jersey Transit Corporation, New York’s highest court ruled NJ Transit is not part of state government and can be sued in New York.

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USDOT to Use AI to Go After Illegal Truckers

The federal government plans to take its nation-wide crackdown on non-domiciled CDLs to the next level by deploying AI to go after trucking companies that hire illegal foreign drivers. Speaking at the 105th annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury said his department and its modal agencies are “leaning into AI” and the use of advanced data analytics to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of enforcement efforts.

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Five Things to Know About the Emerging Debate over Ride-Hailing Companies in Halifax

Halifax Regional Council is poised to debate bylaw changes that could impose more oversight on drivers working for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft. Uber is opposed to the proposed changes, saying they would lead to higher fares, too much red tape, additional fees for drivers an no improvements for passenger safety. Halifax council is expected to discuss the proposals at its next meeting on Jan. 27.

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Ottawa Might Slash Chinese EV Tariffs by 50% in Major Shift

According to reporting by the New York Times, Canada is quietly trying to reset its tense relationship with China. Economic pressure is growing at home, and the U.S. has become a harder partner to rely on under President Donald Trump. The NYT describes the moment as a “pragmatic thawing.” Canadian and Chinese officials are working toward what one person familiar with the talks called a possible “grand bargain” on trade. The focus is on dialing back steep retaliatory tariffs that have hurt both sides. Prime Minister Mark Carney is now in Beijing to begin talks, marking the first visit by a Canadian leader in eight years. The dispute centers on EVs and agriculture. Canada imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs in 2024 under Justin Trudeau, copying the U.S. at the time. China hit back with its own 100% tariff on Canadian canola oil (a $4.9 billion export in 2024), a major pressure point for Prairie farmers.

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Ontario Looks to Pause Affordable Housing Requirements Near Transit Hubs in Toronto, Mississauga, Kitchener

Doug Ford's government is looking to pause affordable housing requirements for new residential developments near transit hubs in Toronto, Mississauga and Kitchener, saying they are deterring construction during a housing crisis. The proposed amendment would pause inclusionary zoning in the three Ontario cities where it exists until July 2027. The planning tool lets cities compel developers to rent a portion of units below market value — at 30 per cent of the household's gross income — in new builds near major transit stations.

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Should Councils Adjust Taxi Fare Tariffs More Frequently to Match Rising Costs Facing Cabbies?

Taxi drivers across the UK continue to face mounting pressure as regulated fare tariffs lag behind sharp increases in operating costs, prompting renewed discussion for all councils to move to annual tariff reviews. In some regions taxi fare tariffs set by local authorities are increasingly failing to keep pace with inflation, leaving many drivers absorbing years of rising costs before any adjustment is made. While fuel, insurance, vehicle finance and licensing fees have climbed steadily since 2021, tariff reviews in some areas have remained frozen for three, four or even five years.

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Rome Sets 30 KPH City Center Speed Limit, Following Other European Capitals

Rome is set to become the latest European capital to sharply reduce speed limits, forcing Italians notorious for breakneck driving to slow down in an effort to reduce accidents and pollution. The Eternal City's new limit of 30 kph (19 mph) throughout the historic center takes effect from Thursday, almost halving the previous 50 kph limit in streets overwhelmed by residents, tourists and cars.

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Brightline Parent Hires European Rail Veteran to Lead Company’s Growth, Quest for Profits

In what appears to be its biggest management shakeup in years, the parent of Brightline, the South Florida-based high-speed passenger railroad, has reached across the Atlantic to hire a past CEO of the iconic Eurostar rail line to spearhead the company’s expansion and quest for profitability.

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Another Chinese EV Giant Begins Testing Solid-State Batteries with 620+ Miles Range

Another of China’s “Big Four” automakers began testing solid-state EV batteries in vehicles this week, promising over 620 miles (1,000 km) of range. Dongfeng Motor’s sub-brand, Yipai Technology, announced on its WeChat page late last night that the company has begun testing a solid-state battery prototype in extreme cold weather conditions.

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DMRC Signs MoU with Bharat Taxi to Launch Integrated Last-Mile Connectivity across NCR Metro Stations

In a major step towards enhancing passenger convenience and strengthening sustainable urban transport, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is set to introduce integrated last-mile connectivity (LMC) services from metro stations across the National Capital Region (NCR). The initiative aims to provide seamless end-to-end mobility for commuters while promoting environment-friendly transport solutions and addressing air pollution concerns in the capital.

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Goa Taxi Aggregator Guidelines: Objections & Suggestions

The Goa transport department has received more than 3,800 objections and suggestions to the draft taxi aggregator guidelines and has itself detailed a series of measures taken to safeguard the interests of traditional taxi operators, the state assembly was informed on Thursday. Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho informed this to the House in a written reply on the draft Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, which he said aim to modernize the taxi sector while protecting local operators in the tourist state. Godinho said the government was aware of the problems faced by Goan taxi operators and has taken multiple steps to support them.

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Image: Todd Maisel

Four years after the taxi medallion crisis reached its political breaking point, and nearly two years after the Medallion Relief Program (MRP and MRP+) formally concluded, the New York City yellow cab industry is entering a different phase. Not crisis response. Not policy triage. Capital is coming back. More specifically, institutional capital, often described as “smart money,” capable of investing and lending at scale to a market that was once a $15 billion asset class (i.e., $1+ million * 13,587 medallions). 

In late December, Marblegate Capital Corporation (MGTE), the City’s largest owner of and lender to the taxi medallion market, closed on approximately $137 million in new financing, consisting of: $120 million revolving credit facility with DZ Bank AG and $17.2 million in vehicle-focused financing from Auxilior Capital Partners. This financing materially strengthens Marblegate and supports the continued expansion of its fleet operations, Signal Taxi, as well as its broader vision for how the yellow cab industry can evolve. The Greenwich-based investor, led by Andrew Milgram and Paul Arrouet, continues to play a central role in bringing medallions out of storage and accelerating wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) adoption to meet a court mandate.

After committing at least $600 million to a sector many had left for dead, Marblegate's latest transaction signals two things. First, Marblegate’s long-term bet on the NYC taxi medallion market can now be fully executed. Second, it has convinced two institutional capital providers that the City’s medallion market remains investable. With improving fundamentals and increasing media attention, signs point to renewed interest in the medallion market, which could1 result in a meaningful valuation reset. The AutoMarketplace AYX Index estimates that NYC medallion valuations increased 22.0% in 2025, exceeding the S&P 500’s 16.4% return, without dividends. 

To understand why DZ Bank, Germany’s second-largest bank, might be willing to extend a $120 million revolving facility into the NYC yellow cab medallion market, it helps to start with what the Medallion Relief Program (MRP / MRP+) changed in practice. As a reminder and important political note, MRP+ emerged from the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) hunger strike in 2021 and was meaningfully supported by then State Assemblymember and current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

MRP+ reset the economics of thousands of taxi loans by reducing principal balances, capping monthly payments, and creating a City-funded Reserve Fund that steps in when borrowers fall behind. The Reserve Fund is an NYC government-backed guarantee, although the City is not legally required to replenish it. Still, in the post-MRP+ structure, it has functioned as a meaningful cash-flow stabilizer for participating lenders.

Source: AutoMarketplace

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