Board upholds removal of Reza Gorbani from medallion waiting list

The Board of Appeals on July 21 upheld the Taxi Commission’s decision to remove Reza Gorbani from the public convenience and necessity medallion waiting list (List No. 6‑5531), voting 4‑0 to sustain the Commission’s action.

Taxi Commission representative Ms. Thigpen told the board that the Commission maintains an extensive waiting list and that a basic eligibility requirement is to be a San Francisco taxi driver with supporting waybills; the Commission reported Mr. Gorbani had been driving outside San Francisco and did not produce waybills to show local driving activity.

Mr. Gorbani addressed the board and said he believed he had complied with earlier filing practices and asked for leniency after a 14‑year wait. He said he has since obtained his A license and is prepared to begin driving in San Francisco. Commissioners questioned whether application materials filed long ago would have clearly informed applicants about later administrative rules; staff explained that when a medallion becomes available the Commission notifies the person and requires full documentation at that time.

After discussion, Commissioner Goh moved to uphold the name removal; Commissioners Garcia, Peterson and Mandelmann joined the motion and the board recorded a 4‑0 vote to sustain the Taxi Commission’s removal of Mr. Gorbani from the waiting list. The board advised the appellant of the administrative record and appeal rights.