Salem-News.com Cherriots articles

Voters Say NO Salem-Keizer Transit District Levy

The defeat means the district will have to make more cuts to service next year.

(SALEM) - Voters in Marion and Polk counties narrowly defeated the Salem-Keizer Transit Districts $6.8 million levy.

The majority of the levy would have been used to maintain the current level of transit services in Salem and Keizer and restore some of the services reduced this September.

Salem-Keizer Transit District Route Changes, Fare Increases, Take Effect Tuesday

Cherriots will NOT operate on Labor Day, except for the State Fair shuttle.

(SALEM) - The Salem-Keizer Transit District wants to remind Cherriots and CherryLift users of the following route changes and price increases that take effect on Tuesday.

Note: The following times refer to the time the trip is scheduled to depart Courthouse Square in downtown Salem (or for West Salem routes, the time the route departs Glen Creek Transit Station).

Route 1, South Commercial: weekdays, eliminate the 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, and 8:00 AM trips, and the 6:00 PM trip.

Grant Will Build Bus Shelters For CARTS Riders in Polk County

CARTS connects the Cherriots bus system in Salem with Dallas, Rickreall, Monmouth and Independence.

(SALEM) - Chemeketa Area Regional Transportation (CARTS) bus line riders have a reason to be happy. By next summer, thanks to a $141,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation, 20 bus shelters will be built throughout Marion and Polk counties.

Almost 56,000 people used CARTS buses in Polk County last year Valerie Rux, CARTS coordinator said.

Cherriots Offering Free Shuttle For Salem Art Fair Attendees

Cherriots also will have some bus routes detoured this weekend due to the annual Salem Hoopla event.

(SALEM) - Enjoy the annual Salem Art and Fair Festival this weekend at Bush’s Pasture Park even more by avoiding traffic and parking by catching a free ride at specially marked bus stops along the shuttle route on July 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

The shuttle comes by approximately every 15 minutes from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday and from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday, connecting the Art Fair, downtown Transit Mall and parking lots and South High School.

Call (503) 588-BUSS for more shuttle information.

Cherriots Holding Hearing on Proposed Service Reductions and Fare Increases Thursday

Marion and Polk county voters supported the Salem-Keizer Transit District's 5-year local option tax levy, however with only 38 percent of voters in Marion County casting a ballot during the May Primary Election, the measure failed.

(SALEM) - The Salem-Keizer Transit District is conducting a public hearing for the purpose of receiving input on proposed service reductions and a fare increase. These actions are intended to help the District maintain a balanced budget for the next two fiscal years.

News Report With Kevin Hays (AUDIO)

(SALEM) - Here are today's top stories from Salem-News.com with Kevin Hays reporting...

Cherriots will join with other public transportation systems throughout the country to highlight that public transit offers a quick, easy alternative to the high cost of driving during dump the pump day on June 8th.

Three deserving Salem families will be moving out of their inadequate housing and moving into a new place to call home this summer, thanks to three mid-valley builders, a Salem building company, and hundreds of Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

A Linn County Grand Jury has indicted the parents of an autistic 19-year-old boy who died in an Albany apartment fire last month with murder.

Cherriots Taking Part in Dump the Pump Day June 8th

National Dump the Pump Day is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, a non-profit association of more than 1,600 member organizations, including almost 400 public transit agencies.

(SALEM) - Cherriots will join with other public transportation systems throughout the country to highlight that public transit offers a quick, easy alternative to the high cost of driving.

"With gasoline prices at record levels, many Oregonians are having to change their transit habits," said John Whittington, Director of Transit Development.

"By using public transportation on a regular basis, a person can save hundreds of dollars in fuel costs per year," Whittington said. "Those savings could be added back into household budgets to meet necessities, pay off bills, or just have fun," Whittington added.

Ride Free on Cherriots And Leave Your Car at Home on Car Free Day

Student prizes include a Haro V24 mountain bike from Santiam Bicycle.

(SALEM) - Learn how your transportation choices affect your health, your pocketbook, and the environment.

The fourth annual Car Free Day is Wednesday, April 19th.

Salem-Keizer middle and high school classes will take field trips using Cherriots.

While riding the bus, students can enter a prize drawing by completing a scavenger hunt form.

Prizes of $1,500 will be awarded to the middle school and the high school with the greatest number of field trips taken.