Long-time Philadelphia SEPTA veteran Scott Sauer took on a new role as the authority’s interim GM. 

Sauer had most recently been the COO.

Filling the Void

SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. announced Sauer would serve as interim GM while the board considers a permanent successor to former GM Leslie S. Richards, who stepped down at the end of November.

Sauer started his career with SEPTA in 1990 as a surface train operator. A second-generation transit professional, he follows in the footsteps of his late father, Robert, who served the Philadelphia Transportation Co. and SEPTA for 30 years.

“I am honored to be entrusted with the stewardship of a transit system that is absolutely essential to the region’s success,” said Sauer. “My priority will be to commit this organization to a back-to-basics philosophy emphasizing the fundamentals that keep Greater Philadelphia moving each day: safety, customer service, and reliability.”

Sauer’s Tenure at SEPTA

Over the years, Sauer progressed through roles as a subway/elevated train operator, transportation manager, and safety officer. 

In 2013, he was appointed asst. GM, system safety, where he developed and implemented critical safety initiatives.

In 2017, Sauer was promoted to asst. GM, operations, overseeing all operational aspects of SEPTA, including transportation, control center, vehicle maintenance, and station cleaning. 

In 2022, Sauer was named COO, expanding his oversight to include the engineering, maintenance, and construction division; transit police; and capital programs.

His leadership has guided the organization through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, cybersecurity incidents, civil unrest, and budgetary constraints. 

Sauer also manages a $2.5 billion annual budget, focusing on transformative projects such as rail fleet replacements, station upgrades to achieve full accessibility by 2035, and infrastructure improvements to enhance SEPTA’s reliability and state of good repair.

Industry Involvement

Sauer is a nationally recognized transit safety and operations expert, serving on multiple industry boards and committees, including two terms with the Federal Transit Administration’s Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS), where he served as chairman; the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committee on Transit Safety and Security; the Northeast Corridor Safety and Security Committee; and the board of directors for Operation Lifesaver Inc., a national rail safety organization.

Since 2011, Sauer has also been a faculty member in the USDOT TSI Associate Staff Program, teaching Transit Rail Incident Investigation and mentoring future transit professionals.