A new hub for bus transit is coming to east Salem. Where it will be and what it will look like will depend on what the community tells the Salem Area Mass Transit District this year.The district, known as Cherriots, is launching the first step for the project on Thursday, April 16, with a public ope n house from 5-7 p.m. at Chemeketa Community College’s Building 2, at 4000 Lancaster Dr. N.E.  The open house will be held right next to the existing east Salem transit center, which is the smallest in Cherriots’ system. It has few stops and limited places to wait. But it’s the second-most popular location in the bus system, seeing an average of 231,000 riders a year, according to Cherriots spokeswoman Megan Schmitt. That’s expected to increase.“This demonstrates a strong existing demand that the new facility will accommodate and improve,” Schmitt said. “The overarching goal of the facility is to enhance transit connectivity, accessibility, safety and security with features like improved shelters and full (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance to match east Salem’s demand.” With the open house and an online survey, Schmitt said Cherriots hopes to get insight on what the community wants from the new transit hub. Responses will help narrow down site selection, including whether people want it near major roads or shopping centers, and what amenities and accommodations, like food and bathrooms, should be included. Potential locations being evaluated include the existing spot at Chemeketa Community College, Schmitt said. The process of evaluating the sites will last through September, and Cherriots plans to share its findings during community outreach in October. Schmitt said Cherriots plans to finish with the site selection in early 2027. After approval by the district’s board, the next steps will be land acquisition and construction. Cherriots first identified the need to improve east Salem’s access to buses in its 20-year long range plan, released in 2022. The project had been part of Cherriots’ pitch made in summer 2025 for a new tax on businesses to improve local transit, which was tabled for further discussions with the business community through May.The site selection process will cost around $1 million and is mostly being paid for by federal and state money, in addition to Cherriots’ general fund. The site selection process is required under federal law. There is not an estimate for the total project cost yet. The open house will be drop-in, with Cherriots planners will be there to answer questions and get feedback from the community. The survey will be available on paper for attendees to fill out.Schmitt said the more feedback, the merrier.  “We’re really looking for anyone who lives in, works in, commutes through, visits, studies in the east Salem area,” Schmitt said. “We’d really love to hear from our local community members to implore their feedback and incorporate their feedback within the East Salem Transit Center Project. See Cherriots’ website to take the survey, and for more information on the east Salem transit center.The east Salem project is part of the district’s larger effort to upgrade its regional hubs in the coming decade. The district is still in active negotiations to purchase the land for the new south Salem transit center, Schmitt said.  Cherriots receives $3 million federal grant for long-delayed south Salem transit center   Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251. SIGN UP: Independent reporting gives Salem a stronger voice and holds those in power accountable on issues ranging from homelessness to health care. Be part of that work by becoming a subscriber. Subscribe today. The post Cherriots seeks community input on new east Salem transit hub appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less