On June 7, 2012, the Maryland Gerontological Association presented David Mohebbi it’s Award for Individual Achievement . The award was presented at the Association’s 30th annual conference held in Catonsville, Md. David was cited ‘for his Exceptional Service on Behalf of Maryland’s older Adults”. David has pushed for service improvements and increased transportation opportunities for seniors since he became President of Regency Taxi in 2006. During the 2008 holiday season, David implemented a Seniors Transportation Bailout, that provided free taxicab rides to Montgomery County senior citizens for up to ten miles an no charge. The program was initially set to end in December 2009. The public feedback and appreciation of the service resulted in David authorizing that the program be continued indefinitely. To date, the program has provided approximately $120,000 in taxi service to seniors for no charge. For those seniors on a limited budget , the program provides a service that normally they could not afford to utilize. David has also been the driving force the establishment of the first ADA compliant Taxi service in Prince Georges County. Accessible Taxi began operations in June 2012 with a fleet of fifteen (15) brand new MV-1 vehicles. These vehicles are especially designed to exceed ADA requirements with an exterior design that reminds many of the traditional London cabs. To match the quality of the equipment, each driver receives extended training in customer assistance and sensitivity to customer needs beyond the normal taxicab driver training.. In both his words and deeds, David has shown a true commitment to the seniors and disabled community. We are proud of the leadership role he has taken to place our company in the forefront of service to the community. Congratulations on a well deserved recognition.
Each year, the Taxicab, Limousine, & Paratransit Association (TLPA) honors one driver who displays exemplary service to the disability and elderly communities with the Paratransit Driver of the Year Award. In 2011, The TLPA has bestowed that honor on Maurice Davis, an employee of Challenger Transportation in Gaithersburg, Md. Davis was chosen from a pool of thousands of other applicants to be recognized for his extraordinary customer relations in an industry where professionalism and sensitivity are paramount. The Paratransit Driver of the Year Award acknowledges exceptional performance in the areas of customer service, safety, personal responsibility, and professionalism. Paratransit services are special public transportation options for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Davis, a Challenger employee since 2006, has been honored with eight letters of commendation for excellent customer service from Regency clients and is relied upon for new paratransit driver training. The award was presented to Davis in front of more than 1,000 industry leaders at the TLPA’s annual convention, held in San Francisco. This year marks the 93rd Annual Convention & Trade Show for the TLPA, and is the world’s largest gathering of for-hire fleet executives.
Regency Cab turns to biofuel taxis
Regency Cab of Gaithersburg is joining other businesses in using and promoting alternative fuel, to cut costs and help the environment at the same time. Regency, the second largest taxi fleet in Montgomery County, has placed into service what it says are the county's first flex-fuel taxi vehicles and is cutting back on the number of 8-cylinder vehicles in its 146-cab fleet. "We are taking the environmentally responsible step of introducing flex-fuel taxis and cars with smaller engines," said David Mohebbi, president of Regency Cab, in a statement. "That means that Regency drivers will help reduce air pollution and lower gas consumption." Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) said in a statement, "Regency is leading by example. I hope more companies follow Regency's lead in cutting our dependence on foreign oil and fuel consumption." Last month, Regency was awarded 25 new taxi licenses by Montgomery County in a competitive selection process. Mohebbi decided that the company would purchase five Chevrolet Impala flex-fuel cars that run on biofuel, E-85. The vehicles are generally more expensive than conventional gasoline-powered cars, but the ethanol blend is generally cheaper than regular gasoline. Biofuel must contain at least 85 percent renewable ingredients to qualify for the designation. Mohebbi said that, in addition to the environmental benefits, his drivers also will benefit from the switch. "These new cars will allow my drivers to spend less money on fuel," he said. He also said that Regency is further reducing its gas consumption by replacing its aging 8-cylinder models with 6-cylinder cars and that this change will reduce gas consumption and pollution by 25 percent. Local Man Wins Paratransit Driver of the Year Award Maurice Davis Jr., 27, a Washington D.C. native who found his dream job at the age of 22, drove more than 150,000 miles over the past three years. As a paratransit driver for Gaithersburg’s Challenger Transportation since early 2006, Davis provides special public transportation options for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. He drives about 75 costumers all around the district’s metropolitan area every week. “I love my job. I love what I do,” said Davis, who is known for his reliability, professionalism and positive attitude. “It’s a chance for me to get to know people and go to different areas,” he said. Last month, Davis received the Paratransit Driver of the Year Award for his “exemplary service to the disability and elderly communities.” Davis said he was “shocked” at being recognized by a national organization. He was honored in San Francisco at the annual conference for the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association, a non-profit trade association. This was the second time that Michael Healy, vice president for Challenger Transportation and Regency Cab, nominated Davis for the best paratransit driver award. “Maurice basically goes by example,” said Healy. “He does not talk much or seek the limelight but does about everything right that you want to have him done right: as far as showing up on time, as far as attendance, as far as attentiveness to the costumers, loading the wheelchairs, proper securement, everything.” According to Healy, Challenger drivers take about 20 percent of the costumers using Metro Access, transporting people to see a doctor, see a friend or get groceries. “It allows the opportunity for them to have a fuller life,” said Healy. “Maurice recognizes that.” In addition to driving, Davis also carefully assists seniors and people with disabilities when providing door-to-door services for them. “Sometimes they need help with their bags, or might need help around the building, or it might be their first time riding,” said Davis. Thankful costumers always commend him for being reliable. In the past two years, nine costumers contacted Metro Access, complimenting Davis’ excellent service. “It’s obvious that Davis truly cares about each and every one of his passengers,” said Alfred LaGasse, TLPA’s chief executive officer. Maurice also trains rookie drivers at Challenger’s “cadet training,” the third step of a 3-week training process. He stresses the importance of being courteous to costumers and, especially, of safely taking them to their destination. “It does not matter if you are running late, don’t be in a rush. Make sure safety is first,” said Davis, pointing out that the wheelchair climb needs to be properly secured. Back in 2006, after cleaning buses at First Transit and holding multiple jobs, Davis was looking for a long-term job. Challenger Transportation was his first stop. Davis’ impeccable driving record prompted the company to make an exception and hire him when he was 22 years old, when most drivers hired were over 25. After five years with the company, Davis found a home with a job that helps others. He also said that interacting with costumers teaches him a lot. “I find satisfaction in my daily duties—helping others, gratitude at my own health, and [I] am impressed with the resiliency of the human spirit,” said Davis in a questioner for TLAP. When he is not behind the wheel, Davis spends time with family, friends and his three-year-old daughter.
Local Man Wins Paratransit Driver of the Year Award
Maurice Davis Jr., 27, a Washington D.C. native who found his dream job at the age of 22, drove more than 150,000 miles over the past three years. As a paratransit driver for Gaithersburg’s Challenger Transportation since early 2006, Davis provides special public transportation options for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. He drives about 75 costumers all around the district’s metropolitan area every week. “I love my job. I love what I do,” said Davis, who is known for his reliability, professionalism and positive attitude. “It’s a chance for me to get to know people and go to different areas,” he said. Last month, Davis received the Paratransit Driver of the Year Award for his “exemplary service to the disability and elderly communities.” Davis said he was “shocked” at being recognized by a national organization. He was honored in San Francisco at the annual conference for the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association, a non-profit trade association. This was the second time that Michael Healy, vice president for Challenger Transportation and Regency Cab, nominated Davis for the best paratransit driver award.
Economic times are thought for everyone including senior citizen who are living on tight or fixed incomes and have been impacted by significant goverment cuts. Since there are more than 5,000 seniors in Gaithersburg alone and seniors make up more than 12% of Maryland's total population, David Mohebbi, president of Regency Taxi based in Gaithersburg decided to aid seniors by enacting the " Senior citizen transportation bailout", a program designed to help elderly citizens gain access to necessary appointments or meet ups with friends and family. "The Economy was really bad. A lot of our clients in Montgomery county couldn't afford to pay to get to their doctors or run everyday errands like buying groceries. I came up with the idea to give anyone, age 70 and over, a free ride if needed", explained Mohebbi. "This is a wonderful program. Our way to give back to the community for what they give us," said Regency Cab driver Ron Sttodard. Regency taxi offers a maximum of 100 free trips per month and implemented this free ride program in 2008. David Mohhebi's original intention was to carry the program only during the 2008 holiday, but they saw how many clients benefitted from free rides and extended it until the end of 2011. "We are contemplating keeping the program permanently", continued Mohebbi. Passengers will be asked to show a proof of age and sign a receipt at the end of the trip. "My Mother is 94-years old and is totally immobilized because of Parkinson's disease. This kind of transportation is the only way to get her out of the nursing home and into our home for family Gatherings", Said Jonathan Seagull a Montgomery County resident whose mom uses this program Monthly. Come on and take a free ride A Card from a 94-years old woman named fanny sits on David Mohebbi's desk, thanking him for all the free rides he has given her. Without his generosity, she would have missed doctor's appointments, trips to the grocery stores, and more. But Fanny and Mohebbi have never met. Mohebbi is the president of Regency Taxi Inc, which is headquarter in Gaithersburg just off of Snuffer School Road, and for the past three years his company has been offering free taxi rides to senior citizens. So how does a senior get a free ride? As Mohebbi explained, starting the program just felt the right thing to do. "It was back in 2008 as the holiday season was approaching", He said. The economy was in free fall and senior citizens on fixed incomes were struggling. So he decided to offer free rides to those who needed them. He called it senior citizen transportation bailout, and he was overwhelmed by the response. "We were getting about 70 calls per week", he said. "The number of calls was overwhelming." He had to decide to put some limits on the programs and capped the number of rides at 100 per month, and within a 10 mile radius. But the driver would wait for the senior, so they wouldn't be sanded, he said. After the 2008 holiday season, Mohebbi met with the Regency Taxi board of directors and urged to expand the program, make it year-round.
A Card from a 94-years old woman named fanny sits on David Mohebbi's desk, thanking him for all the free rides he has given her.
Without his generosity, she would have missed doctors appointments, trips to the grocery stors, and more.
But Fanny and Mohebbi have never met. Mohebbi is the president of Regency Taxi Inc, which is headquarted in Gaithersburg just off of Snoufer School Road, and for the past three years his company has been offering free taxi rides to senior citizens.
So how does a senior get a free ride?
As Mohebbi explained, starting the program just felt the right thing to do.
"It was back in 2008 as the holiday season was approaching", He said. The economy was in free fall and senior citizens on fixed incomes were struggling. So he decided to offer free rides to those who needed them.
He called it senior citizen transportation bailout, and he was overwhelmed by the response.
"We were getting about 70 calls per week", he said. "The number of calls was overwhelming."
He had to decidec to put some limits on the programs and capped the number of rides at 100 per month, and within a 10 mile radius.
But the driver would wait for the senior, so they wouldn't be standed, he said.
After the 2008 holiday season, Mohebbi met with the Regency Taxi board of directors and urged to expand the program, make it year-round.