Help Shape the Future of Local Transit: Cherriots Seeking Members for Advisory Committees

Serving on an advisory committee is a powerful way to make your voice heard.

Cherriots connects the Salem-Keizer region to jobs, education, healthcare, and community life across the Mid-Willamette Valley. Your perspective can help guide transit services, programs, policies, and public transportation investments across the Salem-Keizer area.

We are currently seeking five community members to serve on each of our key advisory groups:

• Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
• Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Advisory Committee (STIFAC)

Whether you ride the bus daily, advocate for accessible transportation, or simply care about the future of transit in Marion and Polk counties, serving on an advisory committee is a powerful way to make your voice heard.

What Do These Committees Do?

While both committees advise the Salem Area Mass Transit District (Cherriots) Board of Directors, each focuses on a distinct aspect of the transit system:

1. Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

The CAC focuses on the overall rider experience, equity, and service policies across the Salem-Keizer area.

• Core Role: Advises the Board on transit policies, route changes, rider accessibility, and customer-facing programs.
• Who Should Apply: Community members who live or work within the Salem-Keizer Urban Growth Boundary and care about improving transportation in our region. We especially encourage perspectives from current transit riders, youth (ages 16 to 24), business owners, bike or pedestrian advocates, healthcare providers, and residents passionate about community mobility within the Urban Growth Boundary.
• Commitment: Meets at least quarterly (with occasional monthly meetings as needed) for two-year terms.

2. Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund Advisory Committee (STIFAC)

The STIFAC guides the allocation of state public transportation funds generated through the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) in Oregon.

• Core Role: Reviews project proposals and funding requests from  public transit service providers to expand regional service, improve connections, and support seniors and individuals with disabilities.
• Who Should Apply: Community members from Marion and Polk counties, including public health, social and human service representatives, major employer and educational institution representatives, individuals age 65 or older, people with disabilities, individuals with low income, public transportation service providers, military veterans, and advocates for transit equity.
• Commitment: Meets periodically to review funding proposals and advise the SAMTD Board of Directors on STIF Formula, Discretionary and other federal grant funding project recommendations. 

Why Join?

As a committee member, you will:

• Drive Decision-Making: Provide direct recommendations to the Cherriots Board of Directors before major policies or funding choices are finalized.
• Represent Your Community: Bring your unique lived experience and perspective to the table, helping ensure transit services reflect the needs of all residents.
• Improve Accessibility and Equity: Help to eliminate transportation barriers for youth, seniors, low-income households, and individuals with disabilities.

Selection Timeline and How to Apply

New committee members will be formally appointed by the Board of Directors at the December Board Meeting, with two-year terms officially beginning in January.

To ensure applications can be properly reviewed and vetted in time for inclusion in the December Board Agenda packet, we strongly encourage all interested candidates to submit applications as soon as possible.

Ready to get involved?

To read full committee bylaws, review current rosters, or submit an application, visit the dedicated committee pages:

• Apply for CAC: cherriots.org/cac

• Apply for STIFAC: cherriots.org/STIFAC