Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani congratulated today congratulated "rookie" taxi cab driver Qurbe Tirmizi for returning $32,859 to a 71 year-old woman who left the money in the back seat of a cab Sunday night. The 20 year-old driver is a full-time student who has been driving a cab for only three weeks.
"All of us should learn a valuable lesson from Qurbe Tirmizi's efforts to return this large sum of money: Honesty is the best policy," said Mayor Giuliani. "Qurbe's honesty and dedication are exemplary and typify the vast majority of New York City's hardworking, honest cab drivers. I congratulate him on behalf of all New Yorkers."
"The actions of Qurbe Tirmizi really confirm what we know to be true of New York City cabbies," said Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Diane McGrath-McKechnie. "They are highly principled, caring and hard-working individuals."
Shortly after dropping the passenger off at 10 pm on Sunday evening, Mr. Tirmizi discovered the money and other personal property in the back seat of his cab and immediately drove to the Central Park Precinct Station House to fill out a police report. Officers from the Central Park Precinct then accompanied Mr. Tirmizi to return the property to the grateful owner. This incident follows several others where cab drivers displayed honesty and integrity -- most noteworthy occurring several months ago when Placido Domingo left behind invaluable sheet music and personal belongings that were promptly returned by a cabdriver.
Qurbe Tirmizi, who was born in Pakistan, is studying gemology at the Gemological Institute of America in a six-month course.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission urges all passengers to call (212) NYC-TAXI if they have left behind any personal belongings. The TLC also urges passengers to get a receipt at the end of each ride so they have the number of the taxi.
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