Mayor Newsom appoints Richard Benjamin
to San Francisco Taxi Commission

From the Mayor's Office of Communications

July 10, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that Richard Benjamin has been appointed to serve on the city’s Taxi Commission. Pursuant to section 3.100, Mr. Benjamin has been appointed to fill the Taxi Cab Manager Seat, which is entrusted to improving and maintaining efficient taxi service for the City and County of San Francisco.

Richard is a native San Franciscan and has acted as Head of the Risk Management and Accident Investigation department for Luxor Cab since 2003. Notably, Richard has served also for more than 31 years as a San Francisco Police Officer. Mr. Benjamin graduated from Lowell High School and received his Associate’s Degree at the College of San Mateo.

“I am confident that someone of Richard’s caliber will make every effort to ensure a taxi service that is safe, efficient and responsive to the residents of San Francisco,” said Mayor Newsom. “His long standing background in law enforcement will certainly advance the Taxi Commission’s role in implementing guidelines which serve the best interest of public safety and public welfare,” continued the Mayor.

Taxi Commissioners are largely involved with ensuring safe, efficient and considerate taxi service for the residents and visitors of San Francisco, implementing unbiased rules and regulations concerning drivers, and providing a transparent forum to explore and debate public vehicle-for-hire services in San Francisco.

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