Miami-Dade taxicab driver awarded Chauffeur of the Year

Akhtar Kamal was named Chauffeur of the Year during a special ceremony in his honor on April 9, 2012 at the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Chamber in Downtown Miami.

(Pictured from left to right are Commissioner Bruno Barreiro, District 5; Commissioner Xavier Suarez, District 7; Chauffeur of the Year recipient Akhtar Kamal; Mario Goderich, Assistant Director of the Sustainability, Planning, and Economic Enhancement Department, and District 4 Commissioner, Sally Heyman.)

(MIAMI, April 9, 2012) – Taxicab driver Akhtar Kamal was named Chauffeur of the Year during a special ceremony in his honor on April 9, 2012 at the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Chamber in Downtown Miami.  He received a plaque and a check for $2,500 for providing outstanding customer service.

Mr. Kamal was recognized for going beyond the call of duty and transporting a sick passenger to a local hospital.  On September 20, 2011, Mr. Kamal transported a student from Florida International University who was new to the area to Mercy Hospital.  Because the student had such a high fever, Mr. Kamal would have been justified in refusing to transport her, but he did not.  Instead, he made the choice to immediately take her to the Emergency Room.

The passenger wrote to the Sustainability, Planning, and Economic Enhancement Department, “My daughter had reached the point where she could not walk any longer, Mr. Kamal carried her into the ER himself and made sure she was seen at once.  His actions may very well have saved Caitlin's life as she was admitted to Mercy Hospital near sepsis shock.”

The Taxicab Driver Incentive Program was created in 1998 to reward chauffeurs who provide excellent service.  In addition to the Chauffeur of the Quarter award, every year, a driver is selected for the Chauffeur of the Year award.  Nominees are chosen by taxicab passengers and other drivers.  The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau partners with Miami-Dade in handing out the awards.