Help support transit in Salem -- Apply for the Cherriots Advisory Board

logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Cherriots - Salem Keizer Transit
CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE - CALL FOR APPLICANTS

Salem-Keizer Transit is creating a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) consisting of community members representing a broad spectrum of transportation and community concerns. Ideally, the CAC will include a balanced membership including users of the system, students, business community members, and at-large community members.

The CAC's mission is to assist Salem-Keizer Transit and the Board of Directors by encouraging and promoting services, and transportation decisions that meet the needs of the Salem-Keizer community. The CAC will also help communicate the Transit District's mission and programs back to the community. The CAC accomplishes this mission by providing the Board of Directors and staff of Salem-Keizer Transit with input on matters that go before the Board of Directors. This may include providing comments on transportation plans, programs and studies, project funding priorities, transportation-related legislation, and community transportation concerns. The CAC also assists in publicizing transportation projects and plans to neighborhoods, business groups, student groups, and other stakeholders; while soliciting input for feedback to the Transit District.

Salem-Keizer Transit is in the process of accepting applications for the Citizen Advisory Committee. Applicants are required to fill out an application and submit it by August 31, 2012. Salem-Keizer Transit will then make recommendations for appointments to the committee to the Board of Directors, who makes the final decision. New members will be notified about the time and location of the meetings. Typical appointment to the committee will be a two-year term. For the inaugural appointments, half of the membership will be appointed for a one-year term of service. Once an application is received, it will remain active for two years. Your application will be considered for any openings, unless a letter is submitted withdrawing your candidacy.

Download the application from our website at www.cherriots.org or call 503.588.2424 for mailing options. The application can be submitted via fax to 503.566.3933 or via email at carneys@cherriots.org.

Contact Info: Sadie Carney
Director of Community Relations
503-588-2424

C'mon and take a free ride, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah ...

Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day All Month with Cherriots!

During the month of April, if the Earth Day bus pulls up to your stop, you ride free. On Friday, April 20, ride ALL Cherriots buses for free. Follow us on Twitter to find out which routes the Earth Day bus will be on each day.

More info here

Will Cherriots be Around in Five Years? What About 10?

Image via Wikipedia

Salem-Keizer Transit is asking the public for input on its strategic goals and projects for the upcoming year.

To participate, you are encouraged to fill out a survey online at www.goo.gl/LXxJ5 or at Cherriots Customer Service.

The survey provides an opportunity to rank the importance of specific goals and offer ideas for future strategies and projects. Salem-Keizer Transit will use the survey information to update the Strategic Plan for the fiscal year beginning July 2012.

The Strategic Plan, adopted in July 2011, provides a vision of transportation services for the next twenty years. This high-level document serves as a guide for decision-making, budgeting, and
operations of Salem-Keizer Transit.

The survey will be available through the end of January.

Contact Info: Steve Dickey
503-588-2424

Post-collapse Transit Options: Small is Beautiful

Image by John McNab via FlickrWe're already seeing contraction in our always meager transit systems.  It's good to have some idea of how the rest of the poor folks have managed transit without ginormous transit systems.

This is what peak oil looks like up close -public budget meltdown

Image by Earthworm via Flickr     A LOVESalem HQ foreign correspondent who reports from Bellingham, Washington, sends his comments on a note to him suggesting that this Salem-area story " is what peak oil looks like up close.  He discusses the effects of similar budget implosions on his developmentally disabled daughter, L____.

     Salem has a LOT of people who are going to be in similar, terrible straights as L_____ as the constant erosion of our unsustainable way of life proceeds.  When you build a society that is 100% dependent on abundant cheap energy, don't be surprised when the effects of the end of cheap energy are bad.

Subject: Re: This is what peak oil looks like up close -public budget meltdown

Thx - this really is the face of peak oil, and our human reactions are mostly as expected (see any number of peak oil task force reports now gathering dust).  

There's already significant pressure to cut school busing budgets in our area --- this will really clobber strung-out districts like the one we're in --- kids get to Mt. Baker Jr/Sr high from as much as 30 miles away.  We are about 6 miles distant, ok for biking (in good weather).  AFAIK, nobody in our district's school management system is even thinking about the implications of this.  It Will Not Be Pretty when Those Who Vote find their kids stranded at home.  [They always] pick off the most defenseless first, per this article, but in our situation that ain't where it ends.  

Back when I was riding the transit bus one-way with my bike for commuting, people I talked with usually said they didn't like to ride the bus because of odd people on it, and viewed the transit system as rides for the disabled (meaning in effect those who could not get/keep a driver's license) --- and to a large degree that was and is very true out here in the county (less true in town because of colleges & greenies).  And the first place the WTA wanted to cut when the time came?  Easy to guess, eh?   County routes (on the basis of 'low occupancy').  "Those people" don't vote . . .

Several programs L_____ depends on for her way of life are now under annual attack --- housing subsidy, job assistance, social security, medical.  I'm nearly certain we'll be having to change the way she's living in town in the next few years.  Would be nice to f---- over some bank in the process.  

tooj 

Green eyeshade type person needed from Cherriots 3rd subdistrict

Care to examine the money closely? Image by spike55151 via Flickr

Cherriots needs a new budget committee member for its Budget Committee.

A real problem is that they've got this thing set up so that you have to live in Cherriots subdistrict 3. Sad -- there's no good reason to run a transit district board by subdistricts, much less a budget committee. So even if you are the God of Accounting and are dying to volunteer, you must live in the 3rd subdistrict. Dumb.

But, be that as it may, if you do live in the 3rd subdistrict (see map) of Salem-Keizer Transit (Cherriots) and you've got some facility with figures and you want to don your green eyeshades and help keep the bus system's budgeting process on the straight and narrow, this is your chance. If you're interested or want to know more:

Contact Linda Galeazzi or see the website link below for a booklet about the budget process and expectations of the budget committee (pdf file):

Linda Galeazzi, Administrative Secretary
General Manager’s Office, Salem-Keizer Transit
(503)588-2424 ext 2328

Overdue still probably too little, too late

Image via Wikipedia

but it's a start: Cherriots is proposing a fare increase, with the basic adult fare for a one-way trip slated to go from $1.25 to $1.50 and most every other fare increasing by a corresponding amount.

The only interesting change is for the adult daypass to go from exactly the cost of two rides to the cost of two rides plus a quarter ($3.25).

The more interesting question is whether the Cherriots board has recognized that what they really need is a well-thought-out policy on fare increases so that it's not a big flap all the time -- if they thought through their policy on fares and farebox recovery and recognized the tie between fares and the minimum wage, they could spell out for everyone the conditions that would trigger a fare increase and then we wouldn't have the problem we have now, which is fares too low for too long, dragging the system down into unusability (no weekend service, little late-night service, route cuts).

Ideally transit is entirely fareless --- but until there's public support for that, riders have to pay enough to convince property owners that the system merits ample funding. Right now, Cherriots has allowed itself to get into a social service mode, thinking of its service as providing an option for people with no other options (and, therefore, high resistance to fare increases). That's nice, but it winds up hammering the riders anyway, as their bus service disappears when property owners refuse to pony up, in large part because the fares don't keep up.

So this increase is a step in the right direction if it leads to having some funding to restore some of the routes and times recently cut back -- but if it's just a random stab at an increase (rather than part of an overall fare strategy) or just-enough-increase to keep up with fuel and labor costs, then it's probably not going to cut it. We can hope that this is just the first increase of several that will be needed to get more funding from voters to pay for getting back to a functional, 7-day bus system, a critical service for a sustainable city.

Cherriots slammed for not sharing system data

Working better with people trying to promote transit might be just the "cherry on top" that we need. Image via Wikipedia

Interesting post here on a new app being developed by the same people who do the great "walkscore" neighborhood walkability index.

Apparently Cherriots isn't sharing the data needed to provide such open-source utilities to make transit easier to access. Bad agency.

Like to watch things circle the drain?

Better take your bike with you, because the buses will stop so early (7 p.m.) that you're likely to be stranded otherwise. Image via Wikipedia

If you can ignore the infuriating passive voice ("service reduction is needed," "a system redesign is being proposed"), you can notice that there's still a few days left to weigh in on the service amputations that will render our already anemic bus system even scrawnier and less able to support the community.

For the Salem-Keizer Transit Board Meeting of June 25, 2009 Agenda Item #F.4

You can contact all the Transit Board Members use board@cherriots.org

An overall service reduction is needed by September 2009 in order for the cost of service provided by the Salem Area Mass Transit District to be covered by annual revenues received and to stay within budget. As a result a system redesign is being proposed to not only address the budget issue also long-term ongoing issues with inefficiencies in the current system

Salem Area Mass Transit District
Bus Routes Redesign – Information for our Customers

The following information is for use with customers who have questions about the bus system redesign or specific questions about their routes.

Questions & Answers

When will the final decision on the bus routes redesign be made?

• No decision has been made yet.
  
  
• The Board of Directors will make a final decision at their Thursday, June 25 meeting (6:30 PM, Senator Hearing Room, Courthouse Square, 555 Court Street NE.)
  
  
• Everyone is welcome to come to this meeting
  
  
• No formal public testimony on the bus routes redesign will be taken at this meeting.
  
  
• The meeting can also be watched on CCTV Channel 21 or by video streaming on their website at www.cctvsalem.org at 6:30 PM
  

Where can I get more information?

• The Board agenda packet with information about the bus routes redesign will be available on our website by Friday, June 19: www.cherriots.org.
  
  
• Maps showing bus routes redesign scenarios can be seen on our website: www.cherriots.org. Go to the Current Updates section to view a redesign presentation.
  

How can I talk with Cherriots staff or board members about the bus routes redesign process?

Appointments to talk or meet with staff can be made. A representative from the Transportation Development Division will contact customers to make appointments. (Get the caller/visitors contact information.)

• Name: ________________________________________
  
  
• Phone number and/or email address: ___________________

• Best time to call them back: _________________________
  

Customers can email Board or staff directly with their opinions, questions or concerns: Staff email: skt@cherriots.org
Board of Directors email: board@cherriots.org

How will I be informed of the new bus system routes?

The Salem Area Mass Transit District Board will make a decision about the bus system redesign on June 25. Information will be:

• Posted on our website www.cherriots.org
• Available on the buses and at bus stops
• Mailed to customers
• Available at the Transit Mall Customer Service Center

Important Upcoming Dates for the Bus Routes Redesign to be aware of:

• June 19 -- Board meeting agenda packet with information about bus routes redesign options available on our website: www.cherriots.org.

• June 25 -- Board picks a bus routes scenario.

• July–August Information distributed to public about new routes.

• September 4 Last day of bus service on existing routes.

• September 8 First day of new bus service with new routes and frequencies.

Another stake through the heart of transit in Salem

Unfortunately, budget cuts have forced an end to the free bus pass program for Capital Mall employees. In the interest of helping employees cope with this new reality, Alison Wiley (Transportation Options Program Manager at ODOT) is offering the following message to all agencies:

"The bad news is that budget cuts have forced DAS to discontinue giving free bus passes to Capital Mall employees as of July 1 (including passes from park-and-ride lots). . . . "

A path to providing more rides to more people at less cost

This is one of the programs that Cherriots needs to be investigating and figuring out how to incorporate into the planning -- a method of using existing vehicles and cellphone capability to match riders with rides. As oil prices shoot up this summer, we're going to be even more hammered on funds ... we need to be thinking ahead about how to serve people without necessarily having to put them into a bus/Cherrylift. In years to come, public transit will be increasingly stressed, caught in the vise of rising costs, diminished funds, and rising demand.

I'm not saying that this particular system (Avego) is the right way or only way this could be done -- but they have the right idea, that's for sure.

UPDATE: Nice op-ed by a local fellow who's asking the right questions. Excerpt:

Now instead of neighborhood circulator buses (an idea that has not worked well in Salem), turn those resources into Super Shuttle-like service from the hubs. Super Shuttles are like coordinated, shared taxis. Riders submit the addresses where they need to go and when a load of people going to the same general area has accumulated, a shuttle van drops them off one by one in the most efficient order. It's not as convenient as regular, frequent bus service, but it is a whole lot better than no service at all — it runs where you need it, when you need it. Unlike a bus system, the vans never run empty.

Would Salem voters support it? I don't know — why don't you ask them?

Clearly asking voters over and over to support more of the same old-fashioned bus system hasn't worked. Now you're asking riders to help you choose between two bus options offering service worse than we have now. Wouldn't it be better to look at a variety of ideas for delivering excellent public transportation?

My vote is for a do over — this time with imagination.

Transit saves ... if you have a functioning system

Nice article about how much money you can save by taking transit. Only one problem -- you have to have a transit system that supports riders with enough service to make it possible to be car free or car lite (which Salem definitely does not -- yet).

Many of you may not realize that there are another round of service reductions in the works for Salem's bus system, Salem-Keizer Transit (a/k/a Cherriots). Given the defeat of the last three operating levies, the staff has developed a plan to live within the current funding (about 10% fares, with the rest of the money coming from property tax of 76 mills, supplemented by millions of payments in lieu of payroll tax from the State of Oregon).

Four seats on the Transit Board will be decided in the upcoming election (ballots must be received by the Elections office by May 19). If you want to see the League of Women Voters interview with candidates for one of the races, look for it on Channel 21 (station CCTV) at these times:

Thursday, May 7, 9:30 p.m. . . . Monday, May 11, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, May 8, 10:00 p.m. . . . Thursday, May 14, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, 4:00 p.m. . . . Saturday, May 16, 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 10, 10:00 p.m. . . . Monday, May 18, 2:00 p.m.

You can also stream the program in on your home PC or Mac .

Salem-Keizer Transit Board Candidate Interviews

There's a really important set of races in the election coming up, with ballots being mailed out about May 1 (to be returned by May 19).

But, there is about zero public interest, even though this is a crucial election from the point of view of trying to manage our environmental footprint. Salem and Keizer voters in certain areas will choose four members of the Cherriots board (out of seven).

Candidates who will appear on the ballot in their district are below. Click on highlighted candidate names to see their Statesman-Journal interview.

You can download and read the SJ questionnaires that six of these candidates returned here.

Director, Subdistrict 2, 4 year term (Keizer)
Kelly Hernandez *
Ron Christopher
Hughie Baker

Director, Subdistrict 3, 2 year term (NE/Central Salem) -- SJ Interview
John Gear
Kate Tarter (incumbent by appointment by current board)
Chris Barber *

Director, Subdistrict 4, 4 year term (NE Salem)
Shelley Hanson (incumbent)

Director, Subdistrict 6, 4 year term (South Salem)
Robert “Bob” Krebs -- Krebs candidate website
Libby Barg

(* Both Hernandez and Barber are rumored to have withdrawn and did not participate in the SJ interviews. Hanson, running unopposed, also did not participate.)

The SJ endorsement interview had a weird twist: they had the two candidates for the 6th district split between the two sessions: Bob Krebs attended the first one (with the two remaining active candidates for the 3rd district), while Libby Barg attended the second one. So it may be tougher to compare those two candidates.

The district is making preparations for another round of service changes to try to cope with the failure to pass a levy three times in a row now. You can come to the open house meetings to learn more about the service changes. But you should also consider the candidates very carefully so that you can support the ones whom you think will do the most to preserve the system's viability.

It doesn't make sense, it's just how we are

Last year, Americans took more than 10 billion rides on public transportation, the highest level in more than 50 years. But despite the increases, public transit systems are being forced to cut back service, risking losing many of the riders they gained due to high gas prices and a bad economy. In New York, for example, the Metropolitan Transit Authority is moving forward with plans to drastically raise fares and totally eliminate some subway and bus lines. Our latest Transparency is a look at the 15 most popular public transit systems in America that have made or are planning to make cuts. You can see the full list of all cuts and potential cuts at Transportation for America.

(h/t Good magazine)

Great stuff! Ditch school buses

Since this is where we're going anyway, let's start now. Heck, we've already got free Cherriots passes started for some students; just extend that to all Salem-Keizer students!

Yo, yoots of Salem: getcher free Cherriots pass

Attention (Selected Salem) Students
Students at the following schools are eligible for a FREE Cherriots bus pass that will let you ride Cherriots anytime until June 30, 2009.

To sign up for a free pass, fill out the online form (.pdf warning) and turn it in at your school's office.

Participating Schools

• Parrish Middle School
• Downtown Learning Center
• McKay High School
• North Salem High School
• Roberts High School
• Early College High School

It would be in Salem too, were Cherriots not cutting back

Washington Post story on the nationwide surge in transit ridership.

Two new chances to weigh in on bus service changes

Salem — Cherriots has added two new public forums to be held in downtown Salem where residents can offer input on how the bus service can better meet the needs of the community.

The two new open houses are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and April 24 at Courthouse Square, 555 Court St. NE. (Served by all routes terminating downtown.)

Cherriots' plan to redesign its bus service includes forums where members of the public can offer their suggestions.

The other upcoming open houses, which will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., include:

• Feb. 25: Marion County Fire Station, 300 Cordon Road NE

• March 2: Leslie Middle School, 3850 Pringle Road SE (Cherriots Route 22)

• March 3: McNary High School, 595 Chemawa Road N (Cherriots Route 18)

• April 27: South Salem High School, 1910 Church St. SE (Cherriots Routes 15, 22)

• April 28: Marion County Fire Station, 300 Cordon Road NE

• April 30: West Salem Roth's, 1130 Wallace Road NW (Cherriots Routes 10, 12, 19, 23, 24 and 25)

• May 7: Keizer Fire Station, 661 Chemawa Road N (Cherriots Route 18)

People who are unable to attend a meeting can offer input by completing an online questionnaire.

People who need translations or sign language should contact Michelle Ambrosek at (503) 588-2424, Ext. 2066.

[Note the nice addition of Cherriots routes to the information on the meeting locations! Today Cherriots, eventually all public agencies and local governments will be so thoughtful!]

Important Idea: Green our transport infrastructure with stimulus money

1000 Friends has an important letter to Gov. Kulongoski here.

What do you want from your transit system?

A very important series of meetings coming up -- your chance to tell the Cherriots Board what you want from the system. Attend one, several, many, or all of them, and share your ideas and perspectives on how the Cherriots Board should deal with the defeat of its second operating levy in a row.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS on:
Redesigning Bus Service/What Does the Community Want

• Feb 19 Thu 6:30 – 8:30 PMWest Salem Roth’s (1130 Wallace Rd NW)
• Feb 25 Wed 6:30 – 8:30 PM Marion County Fire Station (300 Cordon Rd)
• Mar 2 Mon 6:30 – 8:30 PM Leslie Middle School (3850 Pringle Rd SE)
• Mar 3 Tue 6:30 – 8:30 PM McNary High School – Cafeteria (595 Chemawa Rd N) note that this meeting will also discuss Keizer Transit Center Planning.

Next after that is a series of meetings for the public to
OPEN HOUSE – Review Service Proposals/Voice Your Preference

• Apr 27 Mon 6:30 – 8:30 PM South Salem High School (1910 Church St SE)
• Apr 28 Tue 6:30 – 8:30 PM Marion County Fire Station (300 Cordon Rd)
• Apr 30 Thu 6:30 – 8:30 PM West Salem Roth’s (1130 Wallace Rd NW)
• May 7 Thu 6:30 – 8:30 PM Keizer Fire Station (661 Chemawa Rd N)
  

There are also a number of regular Cherriots Board/Committee meetings that are always open to the public. These meetings are all at the county office building next to the Court Street Transit Center, where Cherriots HQ is located:

• Regular Cherriots Board meeting is on Thursday, Feb 26, Meeting starts with a work session at 5:30, with the regular board meeting (and opportunities for public comment) at 6:30 PM (Senator meeting room, first floor).
  

• The Cherriots Planning & Operations Subcommittee will meet on Tuesday, Mar 3 at 1:30 PM, 5th Floor (Cherriots Admin Office – Large Conference Rm).

• Mar 12, Thu, (Both meetings in 5th Floor Conference Rm)
  2:30 PM/Specialized Transportation Subcommittee
  4:00 PM/Finance, Admin & Marketing Subcommittee
  

• Mar 26, Thu (Both meetings in Senator Hearing Room, first floor).
  5:30 PM/Board Work Session
  6:30 PM/SAMTD Board of Directors Meeting
  
  
• Apr 2, Thu (Time TBA)/Budget Committee Training Session (5th Floor Conf. Rm).

• April 7, Tue (5th Floor Conference Room) 1:30 PM/Planning & Operations Subcommittee

• Apr 9, Thu (both in 5th Floor Conference Rm)
  2:30 PM/Specialized Transportation Subcommittee
  4:00 PM/Finance, Admin & Marketing Subcommittee
  

• Apr 9, Thu, Time TBA/Budget Committee Orientation (Senator Hearing Room)
  

• Apr 14, Tue, 6:00 PM/Budget Committee Meeting (Senator Hearing Room)

And if you want to run for the Cherriots Board, here are some dates you should be aware of:

• Mar 19, Thu, 5:00 PM, Filing deadline for District Candidates
  

• Mar 23, Mon, 5:00 PM, Deadline for submitting Candidate Statements for inclusion in county voters' pamphlet
  

You probably need to contact the County Elections Office for information on which districts are up for election and how to proceed if you want to run.