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News Release

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.


 

Attached Media Files: Cherriots "Wrapped in Community" Logo - English, Cherriots "Wrapped in Community" Logo - Spanish,

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.


 

Attached Media Files: Cherriots "Wrapped in Community" Logo - English, Cherriots "Wrapped in Community" Logo - Spanish,

Cherriots Statement Regarding Incident At Hatfield Plaza - 05/21/26

Last evening, an incident occurred at Hatfield Plaza on the corner of High St NE and Court St NE. Our thoughts are with the victim and anyone else affected by what happened. Cherriots is offering its full support to law enforcement as they investigate and determine the circumstances surrounding what took place. 

 

The safety of our riders, employees, and community remains our top priority. We are grateful for the quick response from public safety partners and appreciate their efforts to address this situation. At this time, we will rely on the Salem Police Department to provide updates regarding this situation. 

 

Cherriots remains committed to providing safe, reliable service and to supporting our staff and riders during this time. 

Cherriots Statement Regarding Incident At Hatfield Plaza - 05/21/26

Last evening, an incident occurred at Hatfield Plaza on the corner of High St NE and Court St NE. Our thoughts are with the victim and anyone else affected by what happened. Cherriots is offering its full support to law enforcement as they investigate and determine the circumstances surrounding what took place. 

 

The safety of our riders, employees, and community remains our top priority. We are grateful for the quick response from public safety partners and appreciate their efforts to address this situation. At this time, we will rely on the Salem Police Department to provide updates regarding this situation. 

 

Cherriots remains committed to providing safe, reliable service and to supporting our staff and riders during this time. 

Cherriots Announces Local And Regional Farebox Upgrades Starting In June (Photo) - 05/18/26

Phased rollout begins June 2; riders will see improved reliability and boarding efficiency

 

SALEM, OR – (May 18, 2026) —  Cherriots is announcing an upcoming upgrade to fare collection technology across its fleet. Beginning June 2, 2026, new fareboxes will be installed on all Cherriots Local and Cherriots Regional buses to improve system reliability and to streamline the boarding process. 

 

These upgrades represent a significant step forward in modernizing Cherriots transit infrastructure. The new fareboxes are designed to create a more efficient boarding experience, helping our buses stay on schedule and enhancing overall service quality. 

 

"We are committed to investing in technology that makes riding public transit easier and more dependable," said Board President, Maria Hinojos Pressey. "These new fareboxes are a foundational step toward a more seamless future for our passengers."

 

What This Means for Riders

  • New Look: Riders will notice updated fareboxes on buses as installation progresses. 

  • Cash Payments: Riders can continue to pay with cash; exact change is still required, as operators do not provide change. 

  • Day Passes: Customers purchasing day passes on the bus will receive a paper pass with a QR code designed for the new system. Those purchasing at Customer Service will receive a Umo QR token for the Umo reader.

  • 30-Day Passes: We are transitioning away from magnetic stripe (magstripe) passes. Riders are encouraged to bring their existing magstripe passes to the Customer Service Lobby at the Downtown Transit Center (220 High St. NE, Salem, OR 97301) to transition them to the Umo electronic fare system.

  • Promotion: To support this transition, Cherriots is waiving the $3 fee for new Umo tap cards from June 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026. 

For more information, visit Cherriots.org/fares or contact our Customer Service team at (503) 588-2877. 

 

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.

Attached Media Files: A diagram illustrating the updated features of the new fareboxes, and the transition from swiping magnetic stripes to scanning QR codes for more efficient boarding,

Cherriots Announces Local And Regional Farebox Upgrades Starting In June (Photo) - 05/18/26

Phased rollout begins June 2; riders will see improved reliability and boarding efficiency

 

SALEM, OR – (May 18, 2026) —  Cherriots is announcing an upcoming upgrade to fare collection technology across its fleet. Beginning June 2, 2026, new fareboxes will be installed on all Cherriots Local and Cherriots Regional buses to improve system reliability and to streamline the boarding process. 

 

These upgrades represent a significant step forward in modernizing Cherriots transit infrastructure. The new fareboxes are designed to create a more efficient boarding experience, helping our buses stay on schedule and enhancing overall service quality. 

 

"We are committed to investing in technology that makes riding public transit easier and more dependable," said Board President, Maria Hinojos Pressey. "These new fareboxes are a foundational step toward a more seamless future for our passengers."

 

What This Means for Riders

  • New Look: Riders will notice updated fareboxes on buses as installation progresses. 

  • Cash Payments: Riders can continue to pay with cash; exact change is still required, as operators do not provide change. 

  • Day Passes: Customers purchasing day passes on the bus will receive a paper pass with a QR code designed for the new system. Those purchasing at Customer Service will receive a Umo QR token for the Umo reader.

  • 30-Day Passes: We are transitioning away from magnetic stripe (magstripe) passes. Riders are encouraged to bring their existing magstripe passes to the Customer Service Lobby at the Downtown Transit Center (220 High St. NE, Salem, OR 97301) to transition them to the Umo electronic fare system.

  • Promotion: To support this transition, Cherriots is waiving the $3 fee for new Umo tap cards from June 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026. 

For more information, visit Cherriots.org/fares or contact our Customer Service team at (503) 588-2877. 

 

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.

Attached Media Files: A diagram illustrating the updated features of the new fareboxes, and the transition from swiping magnetic stripes to scanning QR codes for more efficient boarding,