On November 29, Leslie Richards will mark her last day as the CEO and general manager of SEPTA, announcing her decision to step down after a period of steering the transit agency through financially turbulent times. As reported by WHYY, Richards expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead the organization and its devoted workforce. "It has been an honor to lead SEPTA, and especially to lead our 9,500 employees, each of whom brings incredible expertise, dedication and heart to serving our community," said Richards.
During her tenure, Richards managed the post-COVID recovery of SEPTA, contending with both drastic drops in ridership and significant financial strain. She also played a vital role in the proposal to redesign the SEPTA bus network and in the introduction of the SEPTA Key Advantage System, as FOX 29 mentioned. Her departure coincides with the agency facing a projected annual deficit of $240 million for FY2025, due to a dry-up in federal pandemic aid and state funding reductions. As an extension of her teaching position, Richards plans on expanding her role at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design. Announcing her future plans, Richards added that she will look to pursue "other opportunities to serve the community," said in a statement that echoes her commitment to public service.
The search for Richards's successor is expected to be a nationwide effort, as indicated during the announcement of the CEO's resignation. Board Chairman Kenneth Lawrence has assured that the search will commence in the weeks ahead. SEPTA's Chief Operating Officer Scott Sauer will be stepping into the interim slot, ready to serve as the agency's general manager while the search is underway, as detailed by both WHYY and another source from PHL17.
SEPTA, which serves a critical role in the Philadelphia region's transportation infrastructure, continues to operate despite the hurdles it has faced, including a recent technical glitch that allowed passengers to ride for free due to issues with the SEPTA Key fare card system. This incident not only highlighted the operational challenges for the transit system but also added pressure on the agency's already strained budget, as the budget cuts and the spending freeze have been introduced earlier this year. With the need to address the glaring fiscal issue remains, SEPTA, under Richards's leadership, became known for its collegiality and dedication to efficiency and equity, as quoted by the CEO herself in a news release cited by WHYY.
