Metro News

Metro, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK), Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA), and Red Bike are making it easier for attendees to experience BLINK, illuminated by ArtsWave , without the stress of driving and parking downtown.

From Thursday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Oct. 11, regional transit options will include regular service and designated Park & Rides connecting directly to the nation’s largest immersive festival of art and light, with discounted tickets available for both options through the Transit app. Discounted weekly Red Bike passes will also be available in the Transit app to connect riders to these transit services.

Park & Ride Service
Designated Park & Ride locations will allow attendees to park and take transit directly to BLINK using special discounted passes available through the Transit app. Park & Ride service will drop attendees off at the Riverfront Transit Center.

• Metro | 6 p.m. – Midnight each night of BLINK
  • Cincinnati State, 3658 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45220
  • Crossroads Oakley, 3500 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209
• TANK | 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday only
  • Northern Kentucky University ( Lots K, L, M)
• BCRTA: CincyLink to BLINK Transit Service | 4:30 PM – Midnight each night of BLINK
  • Meijer, 3651 Towne Blvd., Middletown, OH 45005
  • Meijer, 7390 Tylersville Rd., West Chester, OH 45069

Transit Service
Attendees may also use Metro, TANK, BCRTA and Red Bike services to travel to BLINK, with special discounted transit passes available through the Transit app. Street closures for BLINK installations and pedestrian activity will require service adjustments and temporary stop changes throughout the event area. Government Square will close nightly at 6 p.m., with service relocating to the Riverfront Transit Center until 12:30 a.m.

Metro Access service will also be available for eligible customers traveling to and from BLINK. Customers should contact Metro Access in advance for reservation information and assistance planning their trip

Before traveling, customers should check their transit provider ’s website for full details and the latest information:

• Metro: go-metro.com/BLINK
• TANK: BLINK Shuttle Service & Parking 2026 – Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky
• BCRTA: butlercountyrta.com/BLINK
• Red Bike: https://www.cincyredbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BLINK-1-Week-Pass.pdf
• BLINK: https://www.blinkcincinnati.com/resources/park-and-ride
  

Discounted Tickets Through the Transit App
Riders are encouraged to purchase special discounted BLINK passes through the Transit app before traveling. Passes are valid on both regular transit service and designated Park & Ride service, making the app the easiest way to pay, plan trips and access real-time bus information throughout the event.

Discounted tickets go on sale Oct. 5 through the Transit app. Available options include:

• A One-Day BLINK Pass, valid October 8-11 for 24 hours after activation – $2.20
• A Four-Day BLINK Pass, valid October 8-11 – $8.00
• A One-Day Group Pass, valid October 8-11 for up to four people for 24 hours after activation – $8.00

Cash will continue to be accepted onboard Metro buses and at Metro and Park & Ride locations at the standard fare. TANK Park & Ride service will be cashless. All BCRTA services will be cashless. Riders must purchase passes through the Transit app to take advantage of special BLINK ticket options and discounted pricing.

Organizations providing parking lot access for BLINK do not receive proceeds from ticket sales.

Riders are encouraged to download the Transit app and purchase their tickets before traveling. Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

“Our regional transit partners play an important role in helping people experience more of BLINK. Whether you ’re hopping on a bus, grabbing a Red Bike or using a Park & Ride, there are more ways than ever to get here and move around, so you can spend less time thinking about traffic and parking and more time discovering what ’s around the next corner, ” said Leslie Mooney, Executive Director of BLINK. “We encourage everyone to ‘Think Before you BLINK’! ”

“We ’re proud to provide service that makes it easier and more affordable for people across the region to experience BLINK, ” said Brandy Jones, Metro ’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. “Whether customers use transit from their neighborhood or one of our designated Park & Ride locations, discounted passes through the Transit app offer a convenient way to spend less time thinking about traffic and parking, and more time enjoying BLINK. ”

“BLINK is a tremendous celebration of the art, creativity, and culture that makes our region unique, and TANK is proud to help make it accessible to everyone, ” said Jenny Kammes, TANK ’s Marketing Manager. “With our NKU Park & Ride service, regular routes, and discounted passes available in the Transit app, attendees have an easy and affordable way to experience BLINK without the traffic and parking hassle. ”

“We are excited to offer this service again and give our community an easy and affordable way to experience the truly unique BLINK festival —without the hassle of driving and parking. We ’re proud to connect riders directly to the heart of the event, ” said Shawn Cowan, BCRTA ’s Director of Customer Care and Public Engagement.

“Red Bike is providing the weeklong BLINK pass to give riders the flexibility to experience it all – from seeing the installations built, participating in the 5K, enjoying the festival, and exploring the city, ” said Doug McClintock, Red Bike’s Executive Director. “We encourage riders to connect from transit centers, nearby neighborhoods, or parking areas and ride to the edge of the festival, walk their bike to a station, and explore BLINK by foot.”

Full Details for Metro

• Metro fixed-route and designated Park & Ride services will operate throughout BLINK, Oct. 8 –11.
• Special discounted BLINK passes will be available through the Transit app beginning Oct. 5 and may be used on Metro fixed-route and Park & Ride services. Customers may also pay the standard cash fare. Children under 55 inches tall may ride free with a paying adult, with a limit of two children per adult.
• Designated Park & Ride service will operate nightly from 6 p.m. to midnight, with direct service to the Riverfront Transit Center.
  • Cincinnati State, 3658 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45220
  • Crossroads Oakley, 3500 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209
• Park and Rides will feature promotional giveaways and DJs to kick off the BLINK festivities.
• Metro staff will be available at designated Park & Ride locations and the Riverfront Transit Center to assist with payments, information, wayfinding and general questions.
• Vehicles may not be left overnight at Park & Ride locations.
• Due to street closures, Government Square will close nightly at 6 p.m. Service will relocate to the Riverfront Transit Center until 12:30 a.m.
• The Government Square information booth will be staffed from 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. nightly during the event.
• Street closures for BLINK installations and increased pedestrian activity will require temporary stop changes and service adjustments throughout the event area.
• The Metro Customer Care Center (513-632-7575) will remain open until midnight nightly during the event.

Full Details for TANK

• The BLINK Park & Ride will be Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th ONLY. The other nights you can use any of TANK ’s regular bus routes to get around Covington and Cincinnati.
• Special discounted BLINK passes available through the Transit app may be used on participating TANK service.
• TANK will have promotional giveaways, music, and fun at NKU as people wait for their bus to leave.
• Service begins each night at NKU at 6 p.m. Last trip from NKU to Covington is at 9 p.m.
• Bus makes no stops in between and goes straight to the Covington Transit Center.
• Beginning at 9 p.m. each night, buses will ONLY travel from the Covington Transit Center and drop off at NKU (no pick-ups).
• Buses will operate from the Covington Transit Center back to the park and ride for drop offs until 11 p.m. both nights

Full Details for BCRTA

• CincyLink to BLINK pick-up locations:
  • Meijer, 3651 Towne Blvd., Middletown, OH 45005
  • Meijer, 7390 Tylersville Rd., West Chester, OH OH 45069
• Service will operate October 8 –11 from 4:30 PM to Midnight.
• Shuttle service from Meijer in Middletown to Meijer on Tylersville Road will begin at 4:30 p.m.
• CincyLink service from the Tylersville Road Meijer will begin at 5:00 p.m.
• Multiple buses will depart at the same time.
• Buses will travel directly from the Tylersville Road Meijer to the Riverfront Transit Center.
• Special BLINK tickets will be available for purchase through the Transit app beginning October 5.
• Tickets must be purchased in advance. Cash will not be accepted.
• Each ticket includes round-trip transportation.
• Children 12 and younger ride free.
• Riders will board the bus on the Garden Center side of the building at both Meijer locations.

Full Details for Red Bike

• Red Bike BLINK 1 – Week Pass: Red Bike will offer a special $20 BLINK 1-Week Pass, providing unlimited two-hour trips throughout BLINK.
• Pass will be available Monday, October 5 th through Monday, October 12 th , allowing riders to access Red Bike throughout the entire week.
• Riders can purchase the BLINK 1-Week pass and access the system through both the Transit App and the BCycle app.
• RIDE: Red Bike can be used to connect from parking locations, transit stops, nearby neighborhoods, and other destinations to the edges of the BLINK festival.
• DOCK: BLINK spans more than 30 city blocks from Findlay Market through Downtown Cincinnati and into Northern Kentucky; rides should plan their trip around a nearby Red Bike station and dock their bike before entering pedestrian only festival areas.
• WALK: BLINK is designed to be explored on foot. Red Bikes are not permitted through closed streets, pedestrian-only areas, or crowded festival spaces. Riders who enter a pedestrian area with a bike should dismount and walk it to the nearest Red Bike station.
• Riders are encouraged to check BLINK ’s current road closure information and follow Red Bike on Instagram for Red Bike specific BLINK route updates.
• Details on the BLINK 1-Week Pass and how to access the system are available here.