Former NYC Taxi Chief Joins Ride-Hail Startup Branded 'Illegal'

David Do, ex-commissioner of the Taxi and Limousine Commission, takes job at Empower, which the agency says does not meet safety standards.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:21am

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David Do, the former head of New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission, has taken a job as senior vice president of government and regulatory affairs at the ride-hailing startup Empower, which the TLC has branded as 'illegal' and not meeting safety standards for drivers and passengers.

Why it matters

This move raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the revolving door between regulators and the companies they oversee. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between traditional taxi services and new ride-hailing startups trying to disrupt the industry.

The details

Shortly after leaving his role as TLC commissioner, where he had served since 2022, Do has now joined Empower, a ride-hailing company that the TLC says does not meet its safety and insurance requirements. The TLC has labeled Empower as an 'unlicensed, illegal base' and says it will hold the company accountable. During a recent City Council confirmation hearing for the new TLC commissioner, Midori Valdivia, she vowed to use the agency's full authority to stop Empower's 'illegal operation'.

  • David Do left his role as TLC commissioner in early 2026.
  • Empower has been making inroads in the city recently, trying to cut into Uber and Lyft's dominance of the for-hire vehicle business.

The players

David Do

The former commissioner of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, who has now taken a job as senior vice president of government and regulatory affairs at the ride-hailing startup Empower.

Empower

A ride-hailing tech company that the TLC has branded as 'unlicensed' and 'illegal', saying it does not meet safety standards for drivers or passengers.

Midori Valdivia

The new head of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, who was critical of Empower during her recent City Council confirmation hearing and vowed to use the agency's full authority to stop the company's 'illegal operation'.

Joshua Sear

The chief executive officer of Empower, who praised David Do's hiring and said the company offers drivers the ability to 'truly run their own businesses'.

Bhairavi Desai

The head of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, who called Do's move to Empower 'equally disappointing and infuriating', saying the company is 'not a lifeline for drivers, it's a trap'.

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What they’re saying

“Empower is an unlicensed, illegal base that puts both drivers and passengers at risk, and we are committed to holding it accountable.”

— Jason Kerstein, TLC spokesperson (thecity.nyc)

“I will use every power in the TLC's authority, and as much power as I can in the city's authority, to stop Empower and stop this illegal operation.”

— Midori Valdivia, New TLC commissioner (thecity.nyc)

“Working for themselves using our software, TLC-licensed drivers are making thousands of dollars more per month than they were working for Uber or Lyft.”

— Joshua Sear, CEO of Empower (thecity.nyc)

“Empower was looking to take the spotlight away from the drivers and turn a serious hearing into a circus with their breaking news. Empower is not a lifeline for drivers, it's a trap.”

— Bhairavi Desai, Head of New York Taxi Workers Alliance (thecity.nyc)

What’s next

The Conflicts of Interest Board is investigating David Do's move from the TLC to Empower.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between traditional taxi services and new ride-hailing startups, as well as concerns about potential conflicts of interest when regulators take jobs with the companies they previously oversaw.