Transit Levy Facts

Cherriots and CherryLift provide vital transportation services Monday through Saturday for millions of riders each year. The Salem-Keizer Transit district contributes $4 million into our local economy, provides good jobs, and helps keep our neighborhoods connected to schools, places of employment, and cultural events.

Measure 24-247 will add back service that was cut when the last ballot measure failed to meet the double majority requirement in the spring of 2006.  The restored service will add service to high ridership routes, where riders fill all the seats and standing room which forces Cherriots to leave riders without a ride at stops along the route.

In 1996, voters established a permanent tax rate for Cherriots service, which was expected to support public transit services for 7 to 10 years. In 2006, after ten years of frugal management, we asked the voters for an increase.  While the levy passed, we failed to meet the “double-majority” requirements, which requires a 50-percent voter turnout in a non-general election.  We were forced to take deep service cuts in the fall of 2006.

Last year, Cherriots provided over 5 million rides.  In 1996, we provided only 3.5 million Cherriot rides.

Like everyone else many of our costs have increased. Our fuel costs have doubled in the last year. Our revenues have not kept pace with our costs.

The transit district provides CherryLift door-to-door service for people with disabilities.  It is an important and necessary service and is mandated by Federal law.

It is also our most expensive service.  Federal law establishes what we can charge for the service.  Federal funds , and a small amount of state funds, cover only a portion of the cost  Property taxes now must cover the remainder of the $3.2 million a year to pay for this service.

If Measure 24-247 does not pass, Saturday service for Cherriots and CherryLift will be eliminated.   Additional service cuts equal to cutting 3 to 4 routes will be required.  Jobs will be lost, as they were in 2006.

The Salem-Keizer Transit District is working with state and Federal funding partners to broaden our revenue base. Public transportation is a critical part of any economically vibrant and livable community. We must pass this levy if the Salem-Keizer area is to remain a desirable place for business and residents. 

A five year levy adding only 49 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value for operating expenses. For example, if a home has an assessed value of $200,000, homeowners would pay just $8.17 per month or $98 annually.

Please vote YES on Measure 24-247.