Carpool and Vanpool
    For a lot of people, carpooling or vanpooling is the easiest way to commute. Don’t think there is anyone to carpool or vanpool with? We have a database chock-full of commuters—some of whom may be your co-workers and neighbors—just waiting to hear from you to start sharing the ride today. It’s a snap to get matched with others who have similar origins, destinations and travel times.

   Carpools usually consist of 2 to 6 people who live close to each other and who are going the same direction at around the same time. One of the reasons carpools are so popular is that they are a cooperative effort between commuters, so they can be tailored to work for everyone. Drivers may alternate, or one person may drive while the others chip in for gas and expenses.

   Vanpools are groups of 7 to 15 people who ride in a van that is leased from a vanpool company, owned by the riders’ employer or privately owned by an individual. The driver is usually a volunteer who is commuting to the same place as the riders. The riders pay a monthly fee to the driver/coordinator, which may be offset by a monthly subsidy* paid through the Cherriots Rideshare program.

   * In June 2006, through a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Cherriots implemented a subsidy program to support vanpool growth in the Willamette Valley. The subsidies cover from 20 to 50 percent of van lease and gasoline costs, based on the total number of commute miles. We intend to offer ongoing subsidies if continued funding allows.

Transit
   Another commute option is taking the bus, either for your whole trip or as part of a trip that includes carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling or walking.

   Salem-Keizer Transit/Cherriots provides public transportation services for commuters and other riders in and around Salem and Keizer. They even have a FREE zone called Fareless Square, where anyone can ride for free. The boundaries of the free area in Salem are Mission Street, Front Street, Union Street and 12th Street.

   Route 1X is an express bus service between Wilsonville and Salem run by Salem-Keizer Transit and South Metro Area Rapid Transit (SMART). This service operates Mondays through Fridays during the morning and evening commute hours.

   Chemeketa Area Regional Transportation System (CARTS) is a public transportation service for Marion and Polk Counties.  CARTS provides service in 19 cities to the general public, as well as senior citizens and people with disabilities who need access to medical services and employment, educational, shopping and recreational opportunities.  Riders can transfer between CARTS and Cherriots buses at the downtown transit mall at Courthouse Square in Salem.

Park-and-ride Lots
   Park-and-ride lots are convenient places for commuters to leave their cars while they use the bus, carpool or vanpool. Several park-and-ride lots are served by transit, so this option is convenient and easy. Commuters can use the Airport Road park-and-ride lot and take the express shuttle to the Capitol Mall area or into downtown Salem. Click here for a complete list of park-and-ride lots.