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Other cause: Route 60X service suspended beginning Dec. 11
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Our Organization

Creating community connections

At Cherriots, we create community connections. We are a public agency providing bus service over a 76 square mile area in Salem, Keizer, and the mid-Willamette Valley.

Voters approved the formation of the Salem Area Mass Transit District at the November 6, 1979 general election. That's still our legal name, but now we use the name Cherriots for all our transportation services. This operating name originated in 1966 when the City of Salem operated the transit system. It reflects Salem’s Cherry City nickname and a play on the word “chariots.”

Local property taxes, as well as state and federal money, provide funding for our transit agency. With those funds, we provide local bus service in Salem and Keizer, as well as regional express service to towns in Marion and Polk counties.

Our Cherriots Local fleet consists of 64 buses, which are 35 and 40 feet long. Our Cherriots Regional fleet has a dozen buses. We also operate Cherriots LIFT, a paratransit service for those who can’t safely and independently use our regular bus service.

​Thanks to the passage of House Bill 2017, we've rolled out the largest service expansion in our history. State funding from HB 2017 has helped restore services lost to deep budget cuts in 2009. Starting in September 2019, we restored Saturday bus service, extended weekday hours until 11 p.m. on many routes, and added Cherriots Regional weekday trips. In September 2021, we added Sunday service for the first time in our history!

Vision 

We deliver valued mobility options that inspire community pride.

Mission 

Creating Community Connections.

Values 

Communication - I promote an open, respectful dialogue with our customers, community partners, and teammates.
Humility - I will serve others with compassion and empathy.
Excellence - I will deliver a world class customer experience.
Respect - I will honor our team and community with my words, actions, and behaviors.
Resourceful - I will adapt to find efficient and innovative ways to overcome challenges and be willing to take initiative to achieve success.
Inclusive - I recognize and honor diversity and will act with integrity, promoting decisions and actions that are equitable and align with being an inclusive agency.
Ownership - I am empowered to take actions that contribute to good stewardship and community trust.
Transparency - I invite trust by fostering honesty and credibility in the eyes of others.
Safety - I own my role in ensuring Cherriots provides a safe, clean, and secure experience.

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