Metro News
Metro Provided More Than 155,000 Rides During 4-Day Blink Festival
October 24, 2022
Free fares and extra park & ride locations gave Metro ridership a big boost during the art and light celebration.
CINCINNATI – We said, “Don’t BLINK and drive,” and the community listened! Over the course of the four-day BLINK festival, Metro provided nearly 156,000 trips, enjoying the art and light show as it was intended: on foot, leaving the driving to the experts.
Festival ridership prompted nearly a 30% jump from the average Thursday-through-Sunday ridership the month prior.
“We couldn’t be happier with how many first time and returning customers took advantage of our fare-free promotion and park & ride shuttles that helped visitors navigate and enjoy BLINK 2022,” said Metro CEO & General Manager Darryl Haley. “Thanks to this partnership with BLINK, the Cincinnati Chamber and TANK, we were able to show the community how riding the bus isn’t just for getting to work and school: We can be your ticket to this region’s vibrant arts and entertainment scenes, as well.”
| Date | Shuttles | Fixed-route | Total | Avg. for September |
| 10/13/22 | 2,152 | 48,170 | 50,322 | 42,103 |
| 10/14/22 | 3,631 | 49,767 | 53,398 | 42,103 |
| 10/15/22 | 5,532 | 24,310 | 29,842 | 20,106 |
| 10/16/22 | 2,590 | 19,439 | 22,029 | 16,143 |
| 155,591 | 120,500 |
Between 6 p.m. and midnight each night of the Thursday-through-Sunday festival, Metro provided all fixed-route and Access paratransit service fare-free, regardless of a customer’s destination. Additionally, Metro provided three BLINK-exclusive park & ride locations with free, direct shuttle service downtown to the heart of the festival.