A new power list highlighting key figures shaping the future of New York’s transport and mobility landscape has brought several Indian-origin leaders into the spotlight. Published by City & State, the 2026 ‘Trailblazers in Transportation’ list recognises influential voices driving policy, infrastructure and advocacy across the state. Among those featured are three Indian-origin professionals whose work spans grassroots activism, legislative reform and large-scale engineering projects. Their inclusion reflects not only their individual impact but also the growing presence of the Indian diaspora in shaping one of the world’s most complex urban transport systems.
Indian-origin leaders shaping New York’s transport power list
Bhairavi Desai: Advocating for taxi workers’ rights
Bhairavi Desai has long been a prominent voice for New York City’s for-hire drivers. As co-founder and executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, she represents thousands of drivers and has spent decades campaigning for fair wages and working conditions.Her advocacy gained particular attention in recent years through efforts to address taxi medallion debt and secure stronger protections for drivers. A major legislative win came when the New York City Council overrode a veto by Eric Adams to pass a bill preventing drivers from being deactivated without due process. Desai has also worked closely with Zohran Mamdani on labour issues, including high-profile protests and hunger strikes.
Jeremy Cooney: Shaping transport policy at the state level
Jeremy Cooney, originally from Kolkata, plays a key role in shaping transportation policy as chair of the State Senate Committee on Transportation. His work focuses on improving transit systems, expanding infrastructure and supporting long-term mobility planning.Among his recent achievements are securing funding for a high-speed rail study, advocating for increased public transit budgets and pushing for expanded investment in road maintenance. Cooney has also introduced legislation to broaden commuter benefits, including support for cycling and ride-hailing services, while emerging as a strong proponent of autonomous vehicle development.
Kovid Saxena: Driving large-scale infrastructure projects
Kovid Saxena represents the engineering and infrastructure side of the list. As a senior executive at Arcadis, he has been involved in several high-impact projects across the New York metropolitan area.His portfolio includes work on the Second Avenue Subway (Phase 2) and the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel, both critical to the region’s long-term transit capacity. Saxena has also contributed to initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, major bridge upgrades and road safety improvements, underscoring his influence on both current and future mobility systems.The inclusion of these leaders highlights the diverse ways in which Indian-origin professionals are shaping New York’s transport ecosystem. From grassroots advocacy and policymaking to engineering and infrastructure delivery, their contributions span every level of the system.
