Cherriots Purchases Land For New South Salem Transit Center - 07/16/26

SALEM, OR — July 16, 2026 — The Salem Area Mass Transit District (Cherriots) has purchased the property located at the northeast corner of Commercial Street and Wiltsey Road for the future South Salem Transit Center, marking a major milestone in improving transit connectivity, accessibility, and safety in south Salem.

South Salem is a growing area that currently lacks a dedicated transit facility, leaving riders with longer walk times, fewer transfer options, and limited service coverage. The new transit center will support smoother connections between local bus routes, paratransit services, and active transportation options such as biking and micromobility. The facility is also designed to enhance safety and comfort through improved lighting, visibility, and dedicated passenger amenities, including covered waiting areas and designated pick-up and drop-off zones.

“This is a transformative step forward for south Salem riders,” said Board President Maria Hinojos Pressey. “The South Salem Transit Center will create a safer, more comfortable, and more connected transit experience for everyone who lives, works, and rides in the area.” 

The project includes land acquisition and related costs totaling $5.5 million, covering preliminary engineering and design, external project management, title and transaction fees, and the property purchase. Funding is secured through a combination of Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) formula and discretionary funds, federal Community Project Funding, and local general funds.

A construction timeline will be announced in a future phase. Project updates will be shared at cherriots.org/sstcproject. 

About Cherriots
Established in 1979, Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) is a special District covering 78 square miles in the Mid-Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene. Locally known as Cherriots, the District provides vital service to more than 450,000 residents in Marion and Polk counties. SAMTD maintains a total of 124 transit vehicles across its various services and provides approximately 3.3 million passenger trips annually.

For more information, visit www.cherriots.org.

Cherriots Announces Community-Selected Themes For “Wrapped In Community” Bus Wrap Initiative - 06/30/26

SALEM, OR – (June 29, 2026) — Cherriots has announced the results of its “Wrapped in Community” survey, with community members selecting the themes that will inspire the District’s next series of bus wraps. 

Over a two-week period, community members were invited to vote on five proposed themes. Over 500 community members submitted responses. The results determine which themes will be featured on two to three new bus wraps, reflecting the voices and priorities of the community. 

The top-selected themes are listed below in descending order based on the number of votes received: 

• Native American Heritage 

• Women’s History 

• Oregon Statehood Celebration

These themes will now move into the design and production phase, with the first community-selected wraps expected to roll out in fall 2026. 

“Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey,” said Maria Hinojos Pressey, Cherriots Board President. “We’re excited to bring these selected themes to life and continue celebrating the people and experiences that make our region unique.” 

Cherriots will share updates on the design process and rollout timeline in the coming months. More information about the Wrapped in Community initiative is available at Cherriots.org/wrapped. 

About Cherriots

Established in 1979, Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) is a special District covering 78 square miles in the Mid-Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene. Locally known as Cherriots, the District provides vital service to more than 450,000 residents in Marion and Polk counties. SAMTD maintains a total of 124 transit vehicles across its various services and provides approximately 3.3 million passenger trips annually.

For more information, visit www.cherriots.org.

Cherriots Shares Update On Business Coalition Task Force - 06/26/26

SALEM, OR – (June 26, 2026) — At its June 25 meeting, the Cherriots Board of Directors voted to pause the activities of the Business Coalition Task Force while the District evaluates next steps to advance long-term transit growth and meet the needs of the community. 

The task force was convened to collaborate and explore opportunities for supporting the District’s future growth and meeting the evolving transportation needs of the Salem-Keizer region. 

The Cherriots Board of Directors will consider future engagement opportunities and provide updates on next steps. Cherriots extends its sincere appreciation to all task force participants for their time, expertise, and shared commitment to strengthening the region’s transportation network and economic vitality.

“The outcome of the state transportation package in the May primary election highlighted the importance of continued conversations with our community and business partners about transportation funding priorities,” said Board President Maria Hinojos Pressey. “As we prepare for a leadership transition with the upcoming retirement of our long-serving general manager, the Board believes this is an appropriate time to pause, reflect on the valuable work completed to date, and consider the best path forward.”

Throughout its discussions, the task force gained valuable perspectives and helped deepen understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing regional transit. While the group was not able to reach consensus on a proposed approach related to an employer payroll tax within the established timeline, the conversations reinforced the importance of reliable public transportation and the need for continued collaboration.

Cherriots remains committed to working with community partners to identify sustainable solutions that support a reliable, accessible, and economically vital transit system. From the outset, the goal has been to invest in more frequent service, expanded hours, and stronger connections to jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential services.

Today, approximately 82% of Cherriots riders rely on the system for work, shopping, and other daily activities, underscoring the critical role transit plays in supporting the region’s quality of life and economic success.

About Cherriots

Established in 1979, Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) is a special district serving 78 square miles in the Mid-Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene. Locally known as Cherriots, the District provides vital transportation services to more than 450,000 residents in Marion and Polk counties. SAMTD maintains a fleet of 124 transit vehicles across its various services and provides approximately 3.3 million passenger trips annually.

For more information, visit cherriots.org.