Scott A. Sauer serves as General Manager of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the nation’s sixth-largest public transit system and the largest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He oversees a $2.7 billion budget and a workforce of 9,500 employees dedicated to delivering safe, reliable and customer-focused transit service throughout southeastern Pennsylvania – a five-county region home to five million people. Today, SEPTA’s six transit modes provide 800,000 daily trips, connecting riders to work, school, essential services and opportunity while supporting the region’s role as the economic engine for Pennsylvania. Scott directs all aspects of SEPTA’s operations, which include 2,800 vehicles across 13,000 bus and trolley stops and 285 subway and rail stations.
A second-generation transit professional, Scott began his SEPTA career in 1990 as a 19-year-old trolley operator, following in the footsteps of his father, Robert, who served the Philadelphia Transportation Company and SEPTA for three decades. Early in his career, Scott earned cross-qualifications in both light rail and bus operations before advancing through roles including Subway-Elevated Train Operator, Transportation Manager and Safety Officer. In 2013, he was appointed SEPTA’s first Assistant General Manager for System Safety, where he led the development and implementation of critical systemwide initiatives including the System Safety Program Plan, Emergency Management Plan and Accident and Illness Prevention Plan.
In 2017, Scott was promoted to Assistant General Manager for Operations, overseeing all operational divisions including transportation, vehicle maintenance, the control center and station cleaning. In 2022, he was named Chief Operating Officer, expanding his responsibilities to include Engineering, Maintenance and Construction, Transit Police and Capital Programs. After being named Interim General Manager in November 2024, the SEPTA Board unanimously appointed Scott as General Manager in June 2025.
Scott has led SEPTA through one of the most challenging periods in its history, including an ongoing budget crisis and major operational responses to safety and infrastructure issues. Scott is driving the system’s recovery with a back-to-basics focus on safety, reliability and customer service. Under his leadership, major crime on the system dropped significantly and he is overseeing the procurement of two new rail fleets. By advancing internal efficiencies, developing new revenue streams, improving signage throughout the system and delivering more reliable service, the Authority is positioned for a best-in-class future. From Pope Francis’ historic visit to Philadelphia in 2015, to the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl parade, to the 2026 FIFA World Cup games and United States Semiquincentennial, Scott has played a key role in directing SEPTA’s efforts to safely move millions of riders during moments of regional, national and global significance.
Scott is widely recognized as a leader in transit safety and operations. He has served on numerous national and regional boards and committees, including two terms on the Federal Transit Administration’s Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS), where he served as Chair; the Transportation Research Board’s Committee on Transit Safety and Security; the Northeast Corridor Safety and Security Committee; and the Board of Directors of Operation Lifesaver. Since 2011, he has also served as a faculty member in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Safety Institute Associate Staff Program, teaching Transit Rail Incident Investigation and mentoring transit professionals from across the country.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Scott currently serves on the boards of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, the March of Dimes Greater Philadelphia Transportation, Building and Construction Boards. He is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals Philadelphia Chapter and the Philadelphia Mayor’s Market East Corridor Planning Advisory Group. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in environmental protection and safety management from Saint Joseph’s University. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and a World Safety Organization Certified Safety and Security Director (WSO-CSSD).