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.

Cherriots Opens “Wrapped In Community” Survey: Opportunity For Community To Help Pick New Bus Wrap Themes (Photo) - 06/11/26

Cherriots Launches “Wrapped In Community” Initiative, Invites Public To Help Shape Future Bus Wraps (Photo) - 06/04/26

SALEM, OR – (June 4, 2026)  — Cherriots is proud to introduce Wrapped in Community, a new initiative that puts community voices at the center of its annual bus wrap program. 

This initiative invites riders, residents, and local stakeholders to have a hand in selecting themes that will be featured on Cherriots buses, celebrating the diverse cultures, stories, and experiences that make the Salem-Keizer area unique.  

“Wrapped in Community is about creating something that truly reflects the people we serve,” said Board President Maria Hinojos Pressey. “We are excited to invite our community to help guide the themes that will be seen across our fleet.” 

As part of this initiative, Cherriots will soon launch a public survey where community members can choose from a curated list of themes developed in collaboration with staff and the District’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board Subcommittee.

The selected themes will be transformed into large-scale bus wraps rolling out beginning in fall 2026.

In advance of the upcoming survey, Cherriots is encouraging community members to stay informed and get ready to participate. 

What to Expect:

• A public survey will launch in June

• The opportunity to help select the top two to three bus wrap themes for the year

• Community-inspired designs featured on Cherriots buses starting fall 2026

Riders and community members are encouraged to sign up for Cherriots email updates and follow along on social media for announcements and voting details.

For more information and to stay connected, visit 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 Cherriots.org.