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News Release

Cherriots Honored At Second Annual TransDASH Summit (Photo) -07/24/25

Salem, OR – July 24, 2025 – Cherriots was recognized as a top performing transit agency during the Second Annual TransDASH Performance Summit, held June 24–25 in Greensboro, NC.

The event brought together public transit executives from across the country for discussions centered around transit performance and the many ways communities nationwide benefit from their public transit systems.

The summit provided a platform for participants to share best practices, learn how to effectively communicate performance metrics to their communities, and recognize top performing agencies.

Cherriots bus with recently awarded first place medals hanging from mirror.

During the summit, Cherriots was awarded the following performance accolades:

  • Most Jobs Accessible by Transit Q1 2025

  • Highest Decrease in Cost Per Customer Trip 2021–2023

  • Highest Increase in Ridership 2021–2024

“We’re proud that Cherriots is being recognized on a national stage for measurable progress that improves the lives of the people we serve,” said Maria Hinojos Pressey, Cherriots Board President. “These honors reflect the dedication of our team and the importance of data-informed decisions in helping our community thrive.”

Partner agencies, such as Cherriots, use the TransDASH performance dashboard to track performance and make it readily available to the public. TransDASH monitors performance beyond the industry’s traditional Key Performance Indicator (KPI) of ridership. For example, Cherriots is tracking metrics such as job connectivity, community relevance, customer net promoter score, customer satisfaction, on-time performance, and employee engagement.

The system is designed to provide a comprehensive view of how transit services improve quality of life in communities by driving local economies, workforce mobility, and reducing traffic congestion.

During the event, Cherriots was also recognized for multiple 2nd and 3rd place awards:

2nd Place

  •  Customer Net Promoter Score in 2024

3rd Place

  • Ridership Change from 2023 to 2024

  • Personal Value in 2024

  • Overall Customer Satisfaction Change from 2023 to 2024

  • Population Near Transit in Jan-Mar 2025

About Cherriots

Established in 1979, Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) is a special district covering 76 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 126 transit vehicles across its various services and provides approximately 3.3 million passenger trips annually.

For more information, visit www.cherriots.org.

Cherriots Earns Top Marks In Federal And State Transit Oversight Reviews -07/09/25

Salem, OR – Jul 9, 2025 – Cherriots is proud to announce that it received zero findings in two major oversight reviews recently completed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). These results reflect Cherriots ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, regulatory compliance, and delivering high-quality public transportation to the Mid-Willamette Valley.

The FTA Triennial Review, which occurs every three years, assesses how agencies receiving Urbanized Area Formula Program funds manage grants and comply with federal requirements in up to 23 critical areas. For Cherriots, that included areas such as financial management, procurement, maintenance, civil rights compliance, ADA accessibility, safety, and others. The independent review team found Cherriots to have no deficiencies in any area of its operations.

According to the FTA, only about 20 percent of agencies nationwide receive zero findings during a Triennial Review, making the results Cherriots received particularly notable.

The ODOT Compliance Review, which focuses on agency compliance with both federal and state transportation program requirements, also resulted in a clean report. Areas reviewed included the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF), Special Transportation Fund (STF), financial management, ADA compliance, and oversight of grant subrecipients. Cherriots received no findings or corrective actions from ODOT’s review. Notably, Cherriots also had zero deficiencies in ODOT’s 2021 review.

“These outstanding results are a direct reflection of the professionalism and diligence of our staff,” said Allan Pollock, General Manager of Cherriots. “Earning zero findings in both reviews is a significant accomplishment for Cherriots and demonstrates our strong internal processes and commitment to serving the public with transparency and excellence.”

Oversight reviews ensure that public transportation agencies manage taxpayer dollars responsibly, maintain compliance with complex regulations, and provide safe, equitable, and effective service. Strong performance in these reviews also helps agencies remain eligible for future federal and state funding opportunities.

About Cherriots

Established in 1979, Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) is a special district covering 76 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 126 transit vehicles across its various services and provides approximately 3.3 million passenger trips annually.

For more information, visit www.cherriots.org.