Climbing the Ranks: How Santiago Osorio Drove His Way to the Top of METRO's Safety and Security

From behind the wheel to the executive suite, Santiago Osorio, METRO’s Executive Vice President of Safety, Security and Facilities, has built a remarkable career rooted in dedication, resilience, and a deep understanding of public transit.  

Born and raised in El Salvador, Osorio has long held a deep appreciation for public transit. His personal experiences have shaped his commitment to helping METRO deliver a clean, safe, and reliable transit system that positively impacts the community. 

Santiago Osorio (far right) attends MPD Chief Ban Tien's Swear-In Ceremony.

“I understand firsthand how clean, reliable facilities and timely service can impact daily life,” Osorio said. “Those early experiences helped shape me into a well-rounded person with a hands-on perspective that’s hard to teach.” 

Starting out as a bus operator, navigating through the streets of Los Angeles in 1994, Osorio took on this role with professionalism and pride, earning the respect of colleagues and riders alike. Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks, taking on various roles at Metro Los Angeles and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Osorio then made his way to Houston, where he is now part of METRO’s top brass. 

His first-hand experience serves as a major advantage to METRO’s goal in providing top-notch service to customers. 

“For me, working in transit isn’t just a job; it’s a vocation. I’m committed to excelling in this field because it has the power to connect people to opportunity and improve lives,” Osorio said. “Our top priority is to ensure that both customers and employees feel safe and comfortable whenever they use METRO.”  

Osorio takes pride in all the work METRO’s safety department puts in every day. He admits that safety, no matter how big or small the issue, requires strong teamwork to keep daily operations running smoothly.

“As a leader, I see the challenge as much more than building infrastructure or advocating for greener ways of living and working. The real opportunity lies in making sure that investments in transit create jobs, strengthen the economy, and serve our community’s needs,” Osorio said. 

Safety and cleanliness are core pillars of the METRONow plan, both overseen by Osorio. Since the plan’s launch earlier this year, he and his team have worked tirelessly to bring its goals to life. Riders can already see improvements, including enhanced safety measures at METRO facilities and continuous cleaning checks across the system to ensure a consistently clean and comfortable experience. 

As the METRONow plan progresses, Osorio’s hands-on leadership and deep passion for public service will continue to propel METRO toward a safer, more connected, and rider-centered future. 

Santiago Osorio (far right) attends the Missouri City Park & Ride ribbon cutting ceremony.

“I’m committed to excelling in this field because it has the power to connect people to opportunity and improve lives,” Osorio said. "Few of us in this industry have the chance to take on these challenges while shaping policies and innovations that can set new standards. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that work and to help bring our shared vision for a more resilient, accessible transportation system to life.”