Salem-Keizer Transit Seeking Public Input on New Service Improvements

The new service improvements do not include the return of weekend and holiday service.

Salem-Keizer Transit, or Cherriots, is "Moving Forward" on a robust system redesign based on the results of a comprehensive service analysis performed by the internationally-renowned transit planning consultant Jarrett Walker. Photo Courtesy: Salem-Keizer Transit

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Salem-Keizer Transit, or Cherriots, is "Moving Forward" on a robust system redesign based on the results of a comprehensive service analysis performed by the internationally-renowned transit planning consultant Jarrett Walker.

The proposed plan was built with guidance from a community stakeholder group, and now they are actively seeking community input before completing a final recommendation. Moving Forward is based on the concept of a "ridership/coverage trade-off." Increased frequency on busy routes equals higher ridership, as more people are able to use transit without lengthy waits.

"The 15 minute frequency is really when people stop feeling like they have to build their lives around the bus schedule and start feeling like service is there whenever they need it," said Walker in his presentation to the Salem-Keizer Transit Board of Directors.

The Moving Forward project has several phases.

Phase one would result in:

* Increased frequency on busy routes that serve jobs, shopping and places people go, such as medical centers, grocery stores and colleges. Buses will be scheduled every 15 minutes on these busy routes.

* Buses running on a consistent schedule throughout the day.

* More direct routes and fewer transfers, resulting in reduced travel time.

Phase one is based on current funding and could be implemented as soon as next summer. It does not include weekend service. Future phases would require additional funding and would provide extended evening service and weekend and holiday service.

If additional funding were to become available, then extended evening or weekend service could be implemented quickly, since the groundwork will have already been done.

"We are excited about the proposed plan, as it focuses on increasing ridership," said Board President Jerry Thompson. "But it is critical we hear from the community as the trade-off for higher ridership means reallocating non-productive service to where it's needed."

You can find maps, a list of outreach events, and a link to provide feedback at www.cherriots.org/movingforward.

Source: Salem-Keizer Transit