SEPTA's Boss on Cancellations, Train Fires & Funding Crisis
Hundreds of commuters rely on SEPTA, but it’s been battling challenges at every turn. The transit agency faces a federal deadline to inspect its fleet of Regional Rail cars, which have repeatedly caught fire. The labor contract with its largest employees union has expired. And long-term funding needs are still unfilled by the state legislature. But Scott Sauer, general manager of SEPTA, tells host Trenae Nuri that the transit agency is “going to be okay.” Sauer explains the latest with the inspections, shares his plans for 2026 tourism, and offers a vision for the agency going forward.
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