New York City, NY, USA: Several Indian American leaders have been recognized in the City & State 2026 Trailblazers in Transportation list, a prestigious power ranking that highlights individuals shaping the future of infrastructure, public transit, and mobility in New York.
Among those featured is Bhairavi Desai, founder and executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA). A longstanding advocate for taxi drivers, Desai began championing workers’ rights at the age of 23 and has since emerged as a prominent voice in New York City’s transportation sector.
The Trailblazers list describes Desai as an unparalleled advocate for for-hire drivers in the city. As head of the NYTWA, she also served on the worker justice transition team for Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a long-time ally who previously joined her in a hunger strike aimed at securing debt relief for taxi medallion owners.
Most recently, Desai played a key role in pushing legislation to protect ride-hailing drivers from unjust deactivation. Although the bill was initially vetoed by former Mayor Eric Adams in his final hours in office, it was later passed by the City Council through a veto override in January.
Also featured on the list is New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney, originally from Kolkata, who currently chairs the State Senate Committee on Transportation. Cooney has been recognized for advancing an ambitious transportation agenda across the state.
His recent achievements include securing $500,000 for a high-speed rail feasibility study, advocating for a 4.9 percent increase in public transit funding, and expanding budgets for road repairs. He has also introduced legislation to broaden pre-tax commuter benefits to include bicycle rentals, ride-hailing services, and cycling-related expenses. Additionally, Cooney is a strong supporter of autonomous vehicle development.
The third Indian American honoree is Kovid Saxena, Vice President for Mobility Global Business at Arcadis, an international design and consultancy firm. Saxena has contributed to several major infrastructure projects across the New York metropolitan area.
His current work includes consulting roles on the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel. His broader portfolio includes initiatives such as curbside electric vehicle charging deployment, reconstruction of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway’s triple cantilever, the elevation of the Bayonne Bridge, and safety improvements along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.
The inclusion of these leaders underscores the growing influence of Indian Americans in shaping New York’s transportation landscape and infrastructure development.
