In June, Mayor Bill de Blasio named Jeffrey Roth to replace Meera Joshi, who recently left the role of Chair and Commissioner for the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). Roth will consult with the TLC’s 12 other commissioners and City Council on how to best introduce and enforce agency rules and help fix the chaotic FHV and Taxi sectors, which has been upended by the advent and unrestrained growth of app-hail services in the city – including plummeting yellow-cab medallion values and a rash of driver suicides.
Roth’s specialty appears to be data and analytics, which he oversaw in a previous role as the TLC’s deputy commissioner for policy and external affairs. Prior to that, Roth worked at the FDNY, helping to create the Risk-Based Inspection System, which allows the department to identify structures most prone to fire and prioritize them for inspection. He also worked to recruit more people of color into the agency’s overwhelmingly white workforce.
“I am honored to be nominated to lead the TLC, which regulates such an integral component of this city’s transportation network,” Roth said. “I look forward to working to fulfill the mayor’s vision for improving the health and vitality of this industry; and working to protect the drivers, passengers, and visitors of New York City who rely on these services every day.”
The announcement came just days after de Blasio announced he would extend the city’s cap on new app-hail vehicles.
“His depth of experience in city government will serve New Yorkers well as we continue to root out practices that prey on medallion owners and help hardworking drivers feed their families,” said de Blasio. “I look forward to his help as we grow our wheelchair-accessible fleet and expand efforts to combat discrimination and service refusals more than ever before.”
Source: Crain’s New York Business
