About

Who We Are

SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) is one of the largest transit systems in the country. We support five counties in the Greater Philadelphia area. We also connect to transit systems in Delaware and New Jersey. Our services include regional rail, buses, trolleys, subways, and a high-speed line.

SEPTA bus in the Greater Philadelphia area.
SEPTA Bus driver

Our Mission

SEPTA moves the Southeastern Pennsylvania region forward by providing safe, reliable, and accessible mobility choices for everyone.

We support equity and enhance quality of life by connecting people with opportunity, catalyzing the economy, and sustaining our environment.

Our History

The Pennsylvania legislature formed SEPTA in 1963. SEPTA began operating in 1964. Many SEPTA services and facilities were part of other transportation groups and date back to the early 1900s.

SEPTA Trolley
SEPTA passengers on platform

Our Future

Our past is important to us, and so is our future. We work to adapt and improve as an organization. Our goal is to continue offering equal transit opportunities for everyone. We want to make sure our organization and our services help people work and travel. Learn more here.

Current Projects:
Bus Revolution | Drexel Station at 30th Street Design Project | Susquehanna-Dauphin Station Improvements

Our Leadership

A 15-member board runs SEPTA. City, county, and state officials choose the members. Leslie S. Richards, General Manager and CEO, manages day-to-day operations.

Leslie S. Richards is the CEO and 11th General Manager of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the sixth largest public transportation agency in the U.S. with a budget of more than $2 billion and a vast network of 9,500 employees that enable the five million residents of the Greater Philadelphia region to connect to each other. SEPTA operates across six transportation modes and has 2,800 vehicles in service, 285 subway and rail stations, 13,000 bus and trolley stops, and 150 routes.

Prior to joining SEPTA, Richards was the first woman secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), one of the largest and most innovative transportation agencies in the U.S. Richards left a lasting mark on the department by creating strategic solutions for the long-term success of Pennsylvania’s transportation needs through innovative, collaborative programs such as PennDOT Connects.

A staunch advocate for women and diversity in transportation and government, Richards has been recognized for her leadership in the industry and commitment to public service. Prior to her public service, she worked in the private sector as a senior project manager for environmental and civil engineering firms. Richards is a graduate of Brown University, where she concentrated in economics and urban studies. She received a master’s of regional planning from the University of Pennsylvania. She lives with her husband in Philadelphia.

Leslie S. Richards, SEPTA CEO and General Manager