A new power list highlighting key figures shaping the future of New York’s transportation and mobility landscape has put several Indian-origin leaders in the spotlight. Published by City & State, the 2026 ‘Trailblazers in Transportation’ list recognizes influential driving policy, infrastructure and advocacy across the state. These include three Indian-origin professionals whose work spans grassroots activism, legislative reform and large-scale engineering projects. His inclusion reflects not only his individual impact but also the growing presence of the Indian diaspora in shaping one of the world’s most complex urban transportation systems.
Indian-origin leaders shaping New York’s transportation power list
Bhairavi Desai: Advocating the rights of taxi workers
Bhairavi Desai has long been a leading 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 campaigned for fair wages and working conditions for decades.His advocacy gained particular attention in recent years through efforts to address taxi medallion debt and ensure stronger protections for drivers. A major legislative victory was scored when the New York City Council overrode Eric Adams’ veto to pass a bill preventing drivers from being disabled without due process. Desai has worked closely with Zohran Mamdani on labor issues, including high-profile protests and hunger strikes.
Jeremy Cooney: Shaping transportation policy at the state level
Jeremy Cooney, originally from Kolkata, plays a key role in shaping transport policy as chairman of the State Senate Committee on Transport. Their work focuses on improving transit systems, expanding infrastructure, and supporting long-term mobility planning.His recent accomplishments include funding a high-speed rail study, advocating for increased public transit budgets, and pushing for expanded investment in road maintenance. Emerging as a strong supporter of autonomous vehicle development, Cooney has also introduced legislation to broaden commuter benefits, including support for bicycling and ride-hailing services.
Covid Saxena: Taking forward large-scale infrastructure projects
Covid Saxena represents the engineering and infrastructure side of the list. As a senior executive at Arcadis, he has been involved in numerous high-impact projects in the New York metropolitan area.His portfolio includes work on the Second Avenue Subway (Phase 2) and the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel, which are 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 impact 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 transportation ecosystem. His contributions span every level of the system, from grassroots advocacy and policy formulation to engineering and infrastructure delivery.