Seth Hamlin with an OG Cherriots bus

Seth Hamlin chooses a 45-minute bus ride over his 7-minute car commute 3 times a week—his passion for his community runs that deep. I had the pleasure of meeting the warm and eager Customer Service Manager at Cherriots, the transit agency serving the Salem, OR area. Seth’s career exemplifies the value of hands-on experience, commitment, and passion for community in leadership.

Starting as a bus driver at Lane Transit District, where he spent nearly 16 years, Seth transitioned to Cherriots in 2021 as Assistant Transportation Manager. His deep understanding of the transit system, coupled with strong leadership skills, propelled him into his current role. Here, he has been pivotal in driving change, notably implementing Umo, a contactless electronic fare system. Seth partnered with Umo to significantly boost ridership at Cherriots. Seth’s success with Umo paves the way for other transit agencies we support, and we are excited to explore its potential further. 

During our visit, Seth graciously gave us a comprehensive tour of the Cherriots grounds. He eagerly demonstrated the new bus ticketing system he curated, down to the smallest detail: the sound he picked out for the validators. His office, adorned with books like, “The Lovable Leader,” a pick from the book club he spearheaded, reflects his generous spirit towards his staff and colleagues. He shared valuable insights into his projects, answered all of our questions, and even connected us with some of his Lane Transit contacts. We couldn’t have been welcomed with a more giving and open attitude.  

For those in the industry, Seth’s story is not just inspiring; it serves as a guidepost for our future endeavors. In an industry that is constantly changing with limited tools, it is vital we utilize people like Seth as a vital resource.  His pragmatic and steady assent into leadership is an important lesson in experience, commitment, creativity, and a community-driven approach. We are grateful to have leaders like Seth pave the way in transit.  

Interested in learning how we help transit agencies? Learn more about our work, here!