Cherriots to host series of open houses on new tax, service expansions
Community members will have several opportunities this month to help guide the future of Cherriots’ services and give input on a new business payroll tax the transit agency plans to implement in 2027.
The Salem Area Mass Transit District, known as Cherriots, announced a series of four open houses this month inviting the community to share its ideas on how to make riding the bus quicker and more accessible.
“Starting in 2027, a payroll tax paid by employers will help us fund these changes and improvements. We’re asking for your ideas now so we can start the new service in 2028,” Cherriots said in an announcement.
The open houses seek community feedback on the agency’s plan to add more buses and further extend service to mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays. Other plans, starting in 2028, include safety improvements to bus stops, shared bikes and scooters, and added service downtown for big events.
The transit district has posted an online survey asking for feedback.
Here’s the dates, times and locations of the open houses:
Monday, Sept. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Senator Hearing Room, 555 Court St. N.E.
Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 3-6 p.m. at the West Salem Roth’s, 1130 Wallace Rd. N.W.
Monday, Sept. 22, from 4-7 p.m., at the Keizer Transit Center, 5680 Keizer Station Blvd.
Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. at Seymour Center, 375 Portland Rd. N.E. #190
The planned tax would apply to Salem and Keizer businesses within the area’s urban growth boundary. The proposed rate of 0.7% was estimated to raise $39 million in its first year. Cherriots has posted an online calculator for employers to estimate how much they’d pay.
Cherriots’ seven-person board plans to vote in October to impose the tax, which it can do without a public vote under state law. It had originally planned to implement the tax in January, but delayed the plan due to significant pushback, including from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, the Keizer City Council and other local business groups.
The tax rate could be reduced depending on whether state legislators approve a transportation funding package that includes more money for public transit by raising other taxes and fees. State representatives approved the package mostly along party lines on Sept. 1. An Oregon Senate vote was delayed until Sept. 17 due to a key Democratic senator recovering from surgery.
Cherriots would receive $10 million from that package, about $3 million of which would go to other regional transit agencies in Silverton, Woodburn and Monmouth-Independence.
RELATED COVERAGE:
Cherriots board will delay new payroll tax a year as Chamber, others oppose effort
Cherriots plans for business tax to increase bus service, build transit stations
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
