NEW YORK—A transportation regulators’ association held its International Driver Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday in New York City, celebrating taxi drivers from around the world, including one who plans to donate a kidney to a passenger-turned-friend.
This international celebration of unprecedented scale was a merge of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR)’s 22nd annual conference and the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (NYCTLC)’s 2009 annual Driver Recognition Ceremony.
“I cannot tell you how many times that I have been inspired by the actions of our drivers,” said outgoing IATR President Malachi Hull, director of the Atlanta Police Department’s Division of Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire.
The organization awarded 20 honorees for recognizing their “exemplary service.”
Some standout drivers include Celso Flores from Chicago and Sam Khaddage from Ottawa, who received Access for All awards for their efforts to serve passengers with disabilities.
Recently retired 82 year-old Jack Dym, a second generation New York City taxi driver, was awarded for working behind the wheel for 60 years, becoming the city’s longest-serving veteran driver. Known for entertaining his customers, Dym has inspired a documentary filmmaker to record his life as a cabbie.
Veteran Washington, D.C. driver Clarence Drew succeeded in transporting passengers for 56 years, but also in assisting Africans. He has improved the lives of 1,500 men, women, and children of a remote South Central African village by starting a bible school, assisting in the paving of local roads, helping in the eradication of ringworms and scabies, and dedicating a personal gift of $9,000 to help educate and buy soccer equipment for the children.
“Whether it is for exceptional customer service, or heroism, or simply for going above and beyond the call of duty to return a passenger’s lost item, we owe these special drivers our gratitude for what they do. Their stories should be told,” said newly-sworn-in IATR President Matthew W. Daus, who is also the commissioner and chairman of NYCTLC.
The grand award, “International Driver of the Year,” went to Phoenix driver Thomas Chappell, who plans to donate a kidney to passenger-turned-friend Rita Van Loenen, a special education instructor. Van Loenen suffers from a deteriorating kidney disease and only a kidney transplant can save her life.
Chappell’s employer, VIP Taxi, flew Chappell to New York City to receive the award. Van Loenen was unable to attend due to conflicts with her dialysis schedule.
The ceremony was also an opportunity for passengers to send their gratitude to taxi drivers who once helped them.
Earlier in August, violin virtuoso Hahn-Bin left his $650,000 18th century Giovanni Francesco Pressenda violin in a taxi, in which NYCTLC found it within several hours using GPS. Hahn-Bin treated the audience of the ceremony to “Recitativo and Scherzo, Op. 6” by Fritz Kreisler.
Renowned violist Ann Roggen had a similar experience in September 2008. Her one-of-a-kind 18th century Tyrolean viola—valued at over $40,000—was lost and returned by taxi driver Deniz Getting, the day’s “Integrity” award recipient. Roggen offered several Bach pieces.
The IATR’s next annual conference, already in the planning stages, will be held in Chicago, Illinois.
This international celebration of unprecedented scale was a merge of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR)’s 22nd annual conference and the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (NYCTLC)’s 2009 annual Driver Recognition Ceremony.
“I cannot tell you how many times that I have been inspired by the actions of our drivers,” said outgoing IATR President Malachi Hull, director of the Atlanta Police Department’s Division of Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire.
The organization awarded 20 honorees for recognizing their “exemplary service.”
Some standout drivers include Celso Flores from Chicago and Sam Khaddage from Ottawa, who received Access for All awards for their efforts to serve passengers with disabilities.
Recently retired 82 year-old Jack Dym, a second generation New York City taxi driver, was awarded for working behind the wheel for 60 years, becoming the city’s longest-serving veteran driver. Known for entertaining his customers, Dym has inspired a documentary filmmaker to record his life as a cabbie.
Veteran Washington, D.C. driver Clarence Drew succeeded in transporting passengers for 56 years, but also in assisting Africans. He has improved the lives of 1,500 men, women, and children of a remote South Central African village by starting a bible school, assisting in the paving of local roads, helping in the eradication of ringworms and scabies, and dedicating a personal gift of $9,000 to help educate and buy soccer equipment for the children.
“Whether it is for exceptional customer service, or heroism, or simply for going above and beyond the call of duty to return a passenger’s lost item, we owe these special drivers our gratitude for what they do. Their stories should be told,” said newly-sworn-in IATR President Matthew W. Daus, who is also the commissioner and chairman of NYCTLC.
The grand award, “International Driver of the Year,” went to Phoenix driver Thomas Chappell, who plans to donate a kidney to passenger-turned-friend Rita Van Loenen, a special education instructor. Van Loenen suffers from a deteriorating kidney disease and only a kidney transplant can save her life.
Chappell’s employer, VIP Taxi, flew Chappell to New York City to receive the award. Van Loenen was unable to attend due to conflicts with her dialysis schedule.
The ceremony was also an opportunity for passengers to send their gratitude to taxi drivers who once helped them.
Earlier in August, violin virtuoso Hahn-Bin left his $650,000 18th century Giovanni Francesco Pressenda violin in a taxi, in which NYCTLC found it within several hours using GPS. Hahn-Bin treated the audience of the ceremony to “Recitativo and Scherzo, Op. 6” by Fritz Kreisler.
Renowned violist Ann Roggen had a similar experience in September 2008. Her one-of-a-kind 18th century Tyrolean viola—valued at over $40,000—was lost and returned by taxi driver Deniz Getting, the day’s “Integrity” award recipient. Roggen offered several Bach pieces.
The IATR’s next annual conference, already in the planning stages, will be held in Chicago, Illinois.
