New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has nominated transportation policy expert Midori Valdivia to serve as Chair and Commissioner of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), signaling a renewed push to advance worker-centered reforms for the city’s taxi and for-hire vehicle industry.

The nomination, announced Tuesday, underscores Mayor Mamdani’s longstanding advocacy for taxi drivers and working people. Valdivia brings extensive experience across major transportation institutions, including prior service as Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration at the TLC, Senior Advisor at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Chief of Staff to the Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). She currently serves as an MTA board member and has led national efforts to reduce congestion and decarbonize urban transportation.

Mayor Mamdani said Valdivia’s nomination reflects his administration’s commitment to delivering tangible improvements for workers who have often been overlooked. “From City Hall, we will deliver meaningful change in the lives of the working people too often forgotten by our politics, and in the day-to-day existences of the taxi drivers who deserve a forceful champion at the TLC,” he said.

Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su emphasized the importance of a strong, collaborative TLC, noting that Valdivia’s leadership would help ensure safe, reliable, and affordable transportation while treating drivers with dignity and respect.

Valdivia called the nomination an honor and pledged to work closely with city agencies and the City Council to support drivers, passengers, and communities citywide. “I am committed to delivering for drivers, passengers, and New Yorkers across the city,” she said, as she awaits City Council confirmation.

Leaders in the taxi and transportation sectors welcomed the nomination. Bhairavi Desai, Executive Director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, praised Mayor Mamdani’s record of standing with drivers and expressed strong support for Valdivia’s appointment. Former TLC Chair and former Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi described Valdivia as a seasoned leader well-suited to guide the industry through ongoing changes, while Hispanic Federation President and CEO Frankie Miranda highlighted her problem-solving skills and deep understanding of the transportation ecosystem.

Established in 1971, the TLC regulates more than 200,000 licensed drivers who complete roughly one million trips each day across New York City. The chair and commissioner serves as both the head of the agency and the chair of its nine-member board, with appointments subject to City Council advice and consent.

If confirmed, Valdivia will take the helm of the TLC at a pivotal moment for the city’s transportation landscape, as the Mamdani administration seeks to balance innovation, equity, and worker protections across the for-hire vehicle sector.