Wyden, Merkley, Salinas Announce $3 Million for Salem Bus Transit Center

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley with U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas today announced $3 million to support the construction of a bus transit center in Salem.

"Ensuring safe and reliable public transportation is essential for Oregonians to easily get from Point A to Point B," Wyden said. "This federal award for Salem will help keep Oregon communities connected and local economies rolling, and I will continue to fight for more resources to support transportation projects across the state."

"Reliable public transportation keeps our communities connected and our economy moving," Merkley said. "Once completed, the South Salem Transit Center will give folks safe and accessible travel options. This $3 million investment builds on the federal dollars that Senator Wyden and I have secured with the support of the Oregon delegation for the South Salem Transit Center - including over $3 million in community project funding. We'll keep fighting to deliver the resources Oregonians need to help folks arrive at their destinations conveniently and safely."

"Getting to work or dropping your kids off shouldn't be a safety risk or a logistical challenge," said Rep. Salinas. "I'm proud to have helped secure this much-needed federal funding for Cherriots. It will only make public transportation in the area safer, more accessible, and more dependable for those who rely on it."

This investment from the Federal Transit Administration's Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. The program makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and buy buses and related equipment and to build bus-related facilities, including technological changes or innovations to modify low- or no-emission vehicles or facilities.

"This federal investment is a huge boost to completing the South Salem Transit Center and Mobility Hub; a transformative project for the Salem community that will bring safe, reliable, and flexible transportation options to the area," said Maria Hinojos Pressey, Cherriots Board President. "Cherriots is deeply grateful to Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, and Representative Salinas for their strong support in securing this grant award through the FTA's Buses and Bus Facilities Program."

Wyden, Merkley and Salinas have long been advocates for public transportation funding. This additional funding for the Salem transit center follows $2.56 million Wyden and Merkley announced for the project in 2023, and $500,000 in 2024. In November 2025, Wyden and Merkley announced $11.5 million to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on behalf of Coos County Area Transportation, Yamhill County Transit Area, and Benton Area Transit to acquire and maintain new buses.

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