New website by Stoa. Not the official Salem Area Mass Transit District (Cherriots) website.

About

Salem Area Mass Transit District

Creating Community Connections.

We deliver valued mobility options that inspire community pride.

The district, in numbers

  • 78 square miles across Salem, Keizer, and the mid-Willamette Valley
  • Local fleet: 64 buses, 35 and 40 feet long
  • Regional fleet: about a dozen buses

How we work

CHERRIOTS

Nine values, spelled out in our own name.

C

Communication

I promote an open, respectful dialogue with our customers, community partners, and teammates.

H

Humility

I will serve others with compassion and empathy.

E

Excellence

I will deliver a world class customer experience.

R

Respect

I will honor our team and community with my words, actions, and behaviors.

R

Resourceful

I will adapt to find efficient and innovative ways to overcome challenges and take initiative to achieve success.

I

Inclusive

I recognize and honor diversity and act with integrity, promoting equitable decisions.

O

Ownership

I am empowered to take actions that contribute to good stewardship and community trust.

T

Transparency

I invite trust by fostering honesty and credibility.

S

Safety

I own my role in ensuring Cherriots provides a safe, clean, and secure experience.

Out in the community

More than a ride

Salem families at a Cherriots-sponsored movie night in the park
Movie night in the park, with Cherriots
A smiling Cherriots operator at a transit center shelter
The people who keep the valley moving

Since 1966

A short history

  • 1966

    The City of Salem purchases Capitol City Lines, a driver-owned bus company, and begins operating it as “Cherriots,” Salem's “Cherry City” nickname plus a play on “chariots.”

  • 1979

    Voters approve a November ballot measure forming Salem Area Mass Transit District; the first Board is elected.

  • 1981

    The District begins operating buses in July, with the City of Salem still owning the equipment and staff.

  • 1982

    Transit operations and employees are officially transferred from the City of Salem to the District.

  • 1983

    Route 11 (Lancaster) begins, called Salem's first across-town route.

  • 1986

    Voters approve a permanent property tax base for the District.

  • 1988

    Cherriots moves to its Del Webb Avenue maintenance and operations base.

  • 2019

    State HB 2017 transit funding restores Saturday service and extends weekday hours to 11 p.m.

  • 2021

    Cherriots adds Sunday service for the first time in district history.

A 1966-era Cherriots bus, back when the City of Salem first began operating Capitol City Lines under the Cherriots name
The Cherriots fleet, not long after the City of Salem took it over in 1966
Cherriots staff and Salem neighbors working a community street cleanup together

Community Connections

A district that shows up off the bus, too

Formed by Salem-area voters in 1979, Cherriots is still owned by the riders and neighbors it serves.

Where the routes meet

Transit centers

  • Downtown Transit Center · 555 Court St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
  • Keizer Transit Center · 5860 Keizer Station Blvd., Keizer, OR 97303
  • West Salem Transit Center · 1135 Cornucopia St. NW, Salem, OR 97304
  • Chemeketa Community College · 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97305

Governance

Board & transparency

Meeting schedule, current board members, and budget & performance reports.

Board & transparency

Talk to us

555 Court St. NE, Suite 5230, Salem, OR 97301

503-588-2424 · info@cherriots.org