Cherriots Awarded State Grant To Develop Mobility Integration Plan - 11/06/25

Salem, OR – November 6, 2025 – Salem Area Mass Transit District (Cherriots) has been awarded a Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) planning grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Department of Land Conservation and Development. The grant will fund the development of a Mobility Integration Plan to better connect local transit options and improve travel throughout the region.

The plan will bring together findings from three current studies Cherriots is conducting – on shared micromobility, microtransit, and the fixed-route bus network review – to design a coordinated transportation system that’s easier and more convenient for everyone to use.

“This grant will allow us to develop a cohesive vision and an integrated approach to how all of Salem-Keizer's transportation options can function together to build a more connected, accessible, and sustainable community,” said Shofi Ull Azum, Chief Planning and Development Officer at Cherriots. “Whether it’s a bus, a bike, or an on-demand ride, our goal is to make it seamless for people to get where they need to go.”

The Mobility Integration Plan will help guide how Cherriots expands service and coordinates new technologies in the coming years, to include the possibility of a single fare and trip-planning platform to link them together. By improving access and reducing reliance on personal vehicles, the project supports regional goals for safety, fairness, and environmental sustainability.

The planning process will include opportunities for public input as Cherriots works with local partners and stakeholders to shape the future of mobility in the Salem-Keizer community.