Image: Alex Krales

As Midori Valdivia takes the wheel of the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission, she is encountering an industry with other women in key leadership roles — and where the number of trips with females in the driver’s seat is growing.

Valdivia is the fourth woman to serve as commissioner and chair in the 55-year history of the TLC and her arrival comes as agency data shows that female operators complete 6% of all monthly trips by the more than 178,000 TLC-licensed drivers who ferry passengers for livery bases, yellow taxis, green cabs and app-centered ride-hailing services such as Lyft and Uber.

That is a marked increase from just over a decade ago, when there were more than 140,000 TLC-licensed operators across the various for-hire vehicle classes as app-based services were in their infancy. 



“The hours are so long and the conditions can be dangerous and risky,” said Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Worker Alliance. “All of that makes it more difficult for women.”

According to the 2016 TLC Factbook, agency-licensed female operators completed 4% of trips by for-hire vehicles, which offer pre-arranged services through licensed bases, with 3% completed by women driving for the apps. For yellow taxis, female drivers completed not even 1% of all trips, a number that, a decade later, stubbornly remains in the same range.

“Everybody was like, ‘Oh my god, a woman cab driver!’” recalled Dorothy Leconte, who has been a yellow taxi driver since 1987. “Until today, I still hear that.”

“But years ago, it was more often like people were surprised that they had been living in New York for 20 years and this was the first time they had ever had a woman cab driver.”

Industry leaders said the changes to the industry are striking as female drivers account for a higher share of all rides, while also acknowledging that their numbers are still dwarfed by those of their male counterparts.

“It shows how much we have moved forward — that would have been impossible 20 years ago,” said Cira Angeles of the Livery Base Owners, an association that represents more than 300 bases and close to 20,000 affiliated drivers. “It was a man’s industry and it really still is.”

As Valdivia settles into her second week as head of the agency that regulates New York City’s taxi and for-hire vehicles, the new TLC head said she admires the “hard work and strength” of women who succeed in the industry.

“You can see that intrepid and independent spirit in many of our female licensees,” said Valdivia, who served as TLC deputy commissioner of finance and administration under Meera Joshi, who led the agency during Bill De Blasio’s two terms as mayor. “They make up some of the safest drivers and most conscientious base operators out there, a mighty force who deserve our respect and support.”

Source: The City

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Image: Commarts

Uber Transit announced the launch of a $1 Million Innovation Fund, alongside a nationwide Call for Projects to help public transit agencies, municipalities, and regional authorities pilot on-demand mobility solutions. The initiative is designed to remove financial barriers, enabling agencies to test new service models, reduce operating costs, and improve rider experience.

Through the fund, Uber Transit will award up to $50,000 in funding to 20 forward-thinking agencies across the United States to launch real-world pilot programs.

"The reality is, the math of public transit is not getting easier," said Chris Margaronis, Head of Transit Agency and Higher Education Partnerships for Uber Transit. 

"When a traditional paratransit trip costs $100, that’s not just a cost problem; it’s a service problem. Every excess dollar spent on one trip is a dollar an agency cannot use to serve another rider. We are launching this fund to prove that by using flexible supply and modern tools, we can safely deliver that same trip for $20. That translates to five times the mobility for the same budget."

"This fund offers agencies a responsible way to test better solutions without putting their core budgets at risk. We are providing a platform for small pilots, real data, shared investment, and measurable outcomes. Riders don’t experience innovation as risk, they experience it as freedom."

The funding opportunity is structured to minimize risk for agencies, with no upfront fees, no minimum guarantees, and no capital investment required. Agencies only pay for trips delivered, ensuring alignment between cost and performance.

Call for Projects Program Highlights:

• Funding: Up to $50,000 in funding per agency
• Matching funds are required. Applicants must provide 10% of the award amount in matching funds.
• Eligible Use Cases: 
• Complementing paratransit (Same-day/on-demand)
• Supplementing microtransit
• Augmenting underperforming fixed-route services (Off-peak/late-night) 
• First-mile/last-mile connections 
• Service disruption mitigation
• Transit desert coverage 
• Guaranteed Ride Home and commuter programs
• Social impact (e.g. senior mobility, food access, etc.)

How to Apply

Agencies are invited to submit proposals through the Call for Projects.

Applications are due by June 30, 2026 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are fully allocated.

Click Here to Apply

California's Gas Prices Push Uber and Lyft Drivers Off the Road

The highest gas prices in the country are making it tougher for some gig drivers to make a living. Gas prices have shot up amid the war in the Middle East. On average, California gas prices are the most expensive in the United States, according to data from the American Automobile Assn. The average price of regular gas in California is almost $6. The national average is a little above $4.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 — Philadelphia Will Provide Free Transportation for Fans after Matches

Soccer fans heading to Philadelphia for the FIFA World Cup can take advantage of free transportation after all six matches in the city, Philadelphia Soccer ⁠2026 said Monday, thanks to a partnership with travel rental platform Airbnb. The announcement is in stark contrast to some host cities raising transportation prices during the tournament. On Friday, New Jersey announced that public transportation tickets for games will cost $150, a more than tenfold increase. Fans in Boston, meanwhile, will have to pay $95 for a round-trip bus ride to Gillette Stadium.

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With Chicago Facing Nation's Worst Traffic, Feds Launch New Initiative to Reduce Road Congestion

Chicago deals with the worst traffic congestion in the U.S., according to the 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard from INRIX, a transportation analytics company. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are kicking off a new program to address the economic impact of traffic congestion in Chicago and across the country, dubbed "Freedom to Drive." In a letter to Gov. JB Pritzker, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asked Illinois to identify some of the worst areas drivers are dealing with in the state.

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Bird to Increase E-Bikes, E-Scooters in Canada in 2026

Bird Canada plans to add hundreds of e-bikes and e-scooters across Canada this year in its effort to become a nationwide business, bolstered by increasing interest in sustainable transportation. The Toronto-based micromobility company aims to expand its battery-powered fleet in Halifax from 300 e-scooters and 300 e-bikes to 750 e-scooters and 600 e-bikes this summer, its general manager of Canada, Texas and Oklahoma Pat Graham said in an interview with Sustainable Biz Canada. In Calgary, its first market, Bird has set out to boost its e-scooter fleet from 750 to over 1,000 this year. In Edmonton, it plans to go from approximately 850 e-scooters to 1,200.

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Quebec Has Some of the Highest Gas Prices in Canada. But Some Not Sold on Fuel Tax Freeze

When Prime Minister Mark Carney’s temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax went into effect on Monday — aiming to lower gas prices by about 10 cents a litre across Canada — not everyone in Quebec was thrilled about it. In fact, despite Quebecers paying among the highest fuel prices in North America, some experts told CBC they think the federal government’s fuel tax reprieve is a terrible idea.

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On-It to End Cochrane Bus Routes to Calgary, Town Hopes to Attract New Operator

The Town of Cochrane will be looking to attract a new private sector operator to provide regional transit services between Cochrane and Calgary, after the announcement that Southland Transportation will no longer be operating the On-It Regional Transit service in Cochrane. The On-It service currently runs two weekday routes from Cochrane, one to downtown Calgary and one to Brentwood, with a total of approximately 50 daily riders.

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U.K. Air Taxi Leader Vertical Aerospace Secures $800M Funding Package

American eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi developers such as Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies, and Boeing’s Wisk Aero face a legitimate competitor from across the Atlantic. U.K. air taxi leader Vertical Aerospace—which last week entered rarefied air by achieving a crucial flight test milestone—said Monday that it finalized a funding package totaling up to $800 million. The company said the money will be enough to complete testing and certification for its flagship Valo aircraft by 2028.

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Private Hire Union Backs DfT Integrated Transport Plan but Warns PHV Drivers Must Not Be Left Out

The App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) has welcomed the Department for Transport’s new Better Connected strategy after it formally placed taxis and private hire vehicles inside the Government’s long-term transport planning for England. The strategy says taxis and PHVs should support first and last mile journeys and provide services outside peak hours when other public transport is less available, including support for the night-time economy.

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Driverless Bus Conquers Swedish Alps in World-First Service

In a landmark achievement for autonomous transportation, a self-driving electric bus has successfully completed a month of commercial passenger service in the heart of a Swedish ski resort, navigating heavy snowfall, icy roads, and crowds of skiers. The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, operating in the mountainous region of Sälen, has proven that driverless technology is no longer confined to sunny test tracks, marking a pivotal shift from pilot projects to real-world viability.

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All of Tokyo's Taxis Just Increased Their Prices

The price hikes just keep on coming – littering fees, traffic violation fines, US-bound package fees and now taxis. As of today (April 20), Tokyo's taxis have raised their fees in all 23 wards, plus in Musashino and Mitaka. The price hike is the first since 2022 and comes in response to rising fuel costs and driver shortages, among other reasons. The increase is just over 10 percent – 10.14% to be precise – but comes not in the form of raising listed prices, but rather by adjusting how fees are charged.

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Singapore: I Don’t Mind Being Put Out of a Job If That Means Nobody Dies on Our Roads: Traffic Police Officer

When Traffic Police (TP) Inspector Mohamed Yazid Mohamed Yusoff arrived at the scene of a road accident in Tampines in 2020, his heart sank. Lying among the debris were the toys of a five-year-old girl and her kick scooter, which was, coincidentally, similar to the one his son, also aged five, has. The only differences were that the girl’s scooter was pink, and it was covered in blood. His worst fears were confirmed when he learnt she had died. Singapore’s roads are now at their most dangerous in years, with traffic deaths hitting a 10-year high of 149 in 2025, compared with 141 in 2016.

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VW China Chief: High Oil Prices Fueling Shift to Electric Mobility

High oil prices resulting from the conflict in Iran are accelerating the transition to electric mobility, according to Volkswagen China chief Ralf Brandstätter. "I expect the pace to pick up now," he stated on Tuesday ahead of the Beijing Auto Show, which opens this Friday. In addition to pure electric vehicles, this trend also encompasses hybrid models, which utilize an internal combustion engine alongside an electric motor.

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From Left: Global Highways and Roads Market Sector Director at HDR; and Matt Daus, President of IATR

After more than two decades in public transportation leadership roles, most recently as Executive Director of the Transportation Research Board, Victoria Sheehan has joined HDR to lead the firm’s top-ranked global highways and roads program.

Matt Daus, President of IATR, said, “Congratulations to Victoria Sheehan on this exciting and well-deserved next chapter with HDR. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Victoria through the Transportation Research Board and across the broader transportation community, including at this year’s TRB Annual Meeting, where we formalized an important MOU to strengthen collaboration between the IATR and TRB to advance shared priorities across the global transportation ecosystem. Her leadership, integrity, and commitment to advancing the industry have always stood out. She has a rare ability to bring together diverse stakeholders, bridge research and practice, and drive meaningful progress on some of the most complex challenges facing our transportation systems. HDR’s global highways and roads program will undoubtedly benefit from her vision and experience, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration in this new role.”

As highways and roads director, Sheehan will set the vision and direction for continued growth and delivery of HDR’s expansive highway program. Based in Washington, D.C., she will be responsible for more than 3,500 global employees who provide a diversified portfolio of services tailored to the needs of departments of transportation, toll facilities, municipalities and other roadway infrastructure owners worldwide. These professionals assist highways and roads clients with navigating funding and stakeholder engagement, managing program development and design, and providing construction management.

Prior to her work at TRB, Sheehan led the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for seven years, preceded by 10 years at the Massachusetts DOT. She also served as president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) from 2020-2021. Sheehan holds a master’s degree in structural engineering and architecture from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

“Joining HDR represents an exciting new step in my career, but also a continuation of many of the themes that have defined it already,” said Sheehan. “At TRB, we had more than 100 standing committees addressing every aspect of transportation, including the benefits of improved coordination across disciplines. HDR embodies that same multidisciplinary emphasis in its approach to projects, providing amazing value to our clients and communities.”

HDR’s highways and roads program has active projects in every U.S. state, as well as in Canada, Australia and the Middle East.

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