The City of Keizer was recently honored with the Regional Cooperative Project Award from the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments for Keizer’s participation in the Youth Zero Pass Program.

The Youth Zero Pass Program is a collaborative effort among Cherriots, Salem-Keizer Public Schools, the City of Salem, and the City of Keizer. Launched as a pilot program in September of 2022, the Program aimed to eliminate fare charges for all youth aged 0-18 using Cherriots service and remove financial barriers hindering youth mobility and family access to public transit.  

The impact of the Program was immediate. In its first full month, October 2022, youth ridership saw a remarkable 89% increase compared to October 2021. The Program has continued to show increased youth ridership. In October 2023, youth ridership was 41% higher than in October 2022.  

Not only has there been a significant increase in ridership, the Youth Zero Pass Program significantly impacted local families by providing increased access.  By eliminating the fare for youth, families are now able to travel together on public transit without the added financial burden.  Thanks to this Program, students can attend after-school activities, young individuals can access job opportunities, and families can run weekly errands and engage in activities without worrying about fare costs.