Category: Uncategorized

Are you ready for BLINK? Familiarize yourself with our shuttle hours and parking lots to make your experience easy and fun!

The BLINK Park & Ride will be Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th ONLY. The other nights you can use any of our regular bus routes to get around Covington and Cincinnati.

We will be charging fare for Park & Ride service this year, with a special BLINK event pass in the app! Service will be cashless at the Park & Ride, so please download the app ahead of time – you can download and view instructions to set up your account here Transit App Mobile Ticketing – Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky The BLINK passes are available to purchase in the app now but are only valid from October 8th, 2026 at 12:00AM to October 11th, 2026 at 11:59PM.

Save with discounted BLINK passes, available through the Transit app now:

• $2.20 One-Day BLINK Pass

• $8 Four-Day BLINK Pass

• $8 One-Day Group Pass for up to 4 people

Park & Ride at Northern Kentucky University (Lots K, L, M).

·      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

TANK is launching a new pilot summer student pass!

School may be out, but the adventures don’t have to stop!

Introducing TANK’s Unlimited Summer Student Ride Pass! 🚌🎉

For just $30 (price goes up to $45 in Summer 2027 to cover June – August), riders ages 12–17 can enjoy unlimited rides through August 31, 2026! Making it easier to get to friends, summer jobs, activities, the library and more.

Passes must be purchased in person at the TANK Office
3375 Madison Pike
Ft. Wright, KY

Keep your summer moving with TANK!

TANK is teaming up with Cincinnati Metro, Butler County RTA, and the Connector to encourage the community to help put public transit on the board, literally!

Cincinnati is getting our very own Monopoly edition, and we are asking for your vote to help ensure each transit system is featured as one of the four railroad spaces.

You can show support by sending an email to cincinnati@toptrumps.com with the subject line “Monopoly Railroad Vote” and including the following message: “I would like to cast my vote for Metro, TANK, BCRTA, and the Cincinnati Connector to each represent one of the four railroad spaces in Cincinnati’s upcoming Monopoly edition. Including all four transit systems would be a meaningful way to recognize the vital role public transportation plays in connecting our region.”

KYTC & TANK Partnership to Provide Shuttle Service for KY 8 Licking River Bridge Replacement Project 

Shuttle will provide vital access to jobs and other resources for people of Covington and Newport 

A partnership was announced today that will enhance connectivity during a bridge replacement project that will introduce a better, safer connection between Covington and Newport. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) will partner to provide accommodations for safe passage during the construction of the KY 8 Licking River Bridge Replacement Project. 

The shuttle service is intended to provide a viable transportation option for those who rely on the KY 8 Licking River Bridge for pedestrian and bicycle crossing. This service will focus on providing a connection to basic and essential needs for these commuters – like daycare, employment and groceries. 

“Partnering with TANK is just another example of our continued commitment to being good neighbors in the communities we serve.” KYTC District 6 Chief District Engineer Bob Yeager said. “This exciting partnership will provide a much higher level of service, credibility, reliability and familiarity for the users we aim to serve. We’re calling this project service the “Licking River Link”. 

Closing the bridge to all traffic in January 2026 is expected to save approximately one year off the construction timeline. Expediting the reopening of this vital bridge crossing is a priority. 

KYTC conducted several studies to determine when, and how, the bridge is used by pedestrians and bicyclists. This input, along with collaboration from the cities of Newport and Covington, along with TANK, provided valuable data on effective stop locations and the frequency of stops needed to accommodate the shuttle.  

“We are excited to partner with KYTC to bring this much-needed service to our community and provide a connection to jobs and critical services. At TANK, we take our responsibility of providing safe, reliable transportation seriously and are committed to provide this critical service while the bridge is closed,” stated Gina Douthat, TANK General Manager. “This will be the first time in many years that TANK has operated a direct bus route between Covington and Newport, which will give us an opportunity to monitor demand for the future.” 

The shuttle vehicle will feature an installed bike rack to encourage first and last-mile mobility connections for riders. The bus will also provide wheelchair accessibility. 

Bus Route & Stop Locations 

TANK will operate this shuttle as a public bus route and will come at no cost to riders. The route will loop in one direction due to Scott/Greenup Streets in Covington being one-way. 

The bus will stop at the following locations along the route: 

• In Newport: 

• Central Avenue at 10th Street 

• Central Avenue at 8th Street 

• Isabella Street at 6th Street 

• Isabella Street at 9th Street 

• In Covington: 

• Greenup Street at 9th Street 

• Greenup Street at 5th Street 

• Scott Street at 6th Street 

• Scott Street at 11th Street 

Hours of Operation 

The route will operate seven days a week: 

• Weekdays: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

• Weekends: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

The shuttle will complete a loop once every 30 minutes during operating hours. This shuttle will begin operating daily from January 2026 through Summer 2028). 

More information about the hours of operation and bus route can be found on the project website here Licking River Link – Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky

Ride smart, ride TANK to the first ever FIFA Club World Cup, being hosted at TQL Stadium this month!

We’ll show you, with a little help from Gary the Lion, how to navigate your trip from Northern Kentucky using only TANK bus service and the Connector streetcar, for just $2 a trip. Public transit is the best way to go for game days in Cincinnati, and it’s only $4 round-trip!!

Get on board at any one of our Northern Kentucky Southbank Shuttle stops in Newport, Covington or Bellevue and get off at 2nd and Vine in Cincinnati. From there it’s just a short walk to the 2nd street Connector stop between Main St. and Walnut St. Ride the Connector to the Washington Park stop at 14th & Elm (stop #8 on their map) and walk over to TQL Stadium. It’s that easy, and you don’t have to worry about parking or ride share prices. Plus, both services run every 15 minutes!

Enjoy game days with TANK and the Connector using our Southbank Shuttle service (just $2 per ride) and the Streetcar service (free to ride). View the Southbank Shuttle and Connector maps below!

View the Southbank Shuttle Map HERE

View The Connector streetcar map HERE

We’re making improvements to our Campbell County TANK+ service, so we can connect residents to more places in and around the zone! These improvements will begin on June 7th, 2025.

New extended weekday TANK+ hours:

+ Monday – Friday | 8AM-6PM

+ Saturday | 9AM-5PM

+ Sunday | No Service

New Island drop off/pick up locations:

An “Island” is a drop off or pick up only destination. The zone does not expand to cover the surrounding areas near these Islands. The cost to or from an Island is $5.00 per trip.

+ Saratoga Place Apartments in Newport

+ Two Rivers Apartments in Newport

+ Campbell County Public Library, Newport Branch

+ Watertower Square Building in Newport

+ 103 Landmark Ave. in Bellevue

Expanding the zone further into Wilder:

We’re expanding the zone to cover additional areas of Wilder, KY. We’ve added the area surrounding Johns Hill Road and along the Licking River.

To view the map or search your starting or ending point to determine if it is in the zone, visit TANK Plus – Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky and click on the Zone Info tab.

TANK Introduces New Class to Make Public Transit More User-Friendly for All Riders

TANK is introducing a free monthly class, Ready to Ride, designed to help new, current and returning riders build the skills and confidence needed to navigate the public transit system.

The inaugural class will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2025. Subsequent classes will be held on the first Monday of each month (excluding holidays) from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at TANK’s main office, located at 3375 Madison Pike in Ft. Wright, KY. The class will cover everything riders need to know, from pre-boarding tips to signaling the driver when you’re ready to exit. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice on a bus, applying their new skills before taking their first trip.

“We are excited to offer the Ready to Ride class as part of our commitment to making public transit more accessible and user-friendly for everyone,” said Jenny Kammes, TANK marketing manager. “By providing the tools and knowledge to navigate our system, we hope to empower riders and help them feel confident and comfortable using public transit.”

Participants who complete the class will receive a complimentary TANK day pass.

To learn more and to register for an upcoming class, visit tankbus.org/ready-to-ride-class.

WHEN: 11AM-12PM | First Monday of each month (excluding Holiday’s)

Class Schedules:

June 2, 2025 | 11AM-12PM

July 7, 2025 | 11AM-12PM

August 4, 2025 | 11AM-12PM

No Class in September due to Labor Day

October 6, 2025 | 11AM-12PM

November 3, 2025 | 11AM-12PM

WHERE: TANK Office

3375 Madison Pike
Ft. Wright, KY 41017

TANK will be offering a FREE shuttle service to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center (NKYCC) to help Flying Pig Marathon participants conveniently travel to and from packet pickup.

The complimentary shuttle will run from 10AM to 6PM, Thursday, May 1st through Saturday, May 3rd. Riders can catch the shuttle at designated TANK stops in downtown Cincinnati, with pick-up and drop-off available at the following locations:

• 5^th & Vine Street
• 5^th & Main Street (Government Square)
• 5^th & Lawrence Street

“We’re excited to support the Flying Pig Marathon by making it as easy as possible for participants to get where they need to be,” said Gina Douthat, TANK general manager. “Our free shuttle will drop runners off right at the front door of the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, so they can pick up their race packets hassle-free.”

“We are so thankful to have wonderful community partners like TANK who will help our participants fly across the Ohio River to begin their Flying Pig journey stress-free at the P&G Health & Fitness Expo,” shared Doug Olberding, Flying Pig CEO.

Additionally, marathon participants living or staying in Newport and Bellevue can take the Southbank Shuttle to the NKYCC for packet pickup for just $2 per trip. You can view the Southbank Shuttle schedule and stops HERE; service runs every 15 minutes. Your drop off spot to get to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center will be at the Covington Transit Center.

You can view all the Flying Pig information on their website HERE

TANK and Kroger Team Up to Benefit TANK Plus Riders

TANK’s mission is to provide affordable access to transportation in our region and addressing barriers to accessing fresh food, which is why we are teaming up with Kroger for a new initiative.

Kroger is collaborating with TANK to give new TANK Plus riders a $5 Kroger store gift card for your first ride on TANK Plus. This will allow residents to make their trip to a Kroger grocery store, with Kroger offsetting the cost of half your trip by way of a $5 Kroger gift card on your first ride. Participants need to book their trip in the app or by phone with our call center, and ride to a Kroger store within our service zone.

Since its launch in August, TANK Plus has been providing on-demand service with convenient curb-to-curb transportation for riders, or connection to a TANK fixed route transfer point.

“We’re excited to reach this six-month milestone and thankful for the continued support of our riders,” said Gina Douthat, TANK general manager. “Thanks to the generous support of Kroger, we’re able to offset the cost of a rider’s first TANK Plus trip while also giving them easier access to fresh food. This is just one of the ways we’re continuing to make transportation easier and more accessible for everyone.”

TANK Plus service is available in designated portions of Campbell County from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday. There are two Kroger stores located within the service area including the Newport Marketplace (130 Pavilion Pkwy.) and the Highland Heights Cold Spring store (70 Martha Layne Collins Blvd.).

“Kroger is proud to team up with TANK to support its on-demand service to increase access to fresh food and essentials for northern Kentucky residents,” said Jenifer Moore, corporate affairs manager for the Cincinnati/Dayton division of Kroger. “This investment is an example of our commitment through our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative to build strong collaborations in the community as we work to create a hunger-free future.”

The TANK and Kroger gift card promotion runs through August 13, 2025 – which marks the one-year anniversary of TANK Plus’s launch – or while gift cards are still available.

Riders can book their trip by calling 859-331-8265 or through the TANK+ app which is available on Google Play and the App Store.  

To learn more about TANK Plus including fare information and FAQs, visit TANK Plus – Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky

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Terms & Conditions

The TANK Plus Kroger gift card reward is valid through August 13, 2025, or when gift cards are gone. Participants must be new to TANK Plus and make their trip to a Kroger store within our service zone between February 17, 2025, and August 13, 2025. There is a limit of one $5 gift card per household. Please contact us at jkammes@tankbus.org to receive your gift card.

After much internal review and public input, TANK is shifting its focus to using resources to best serve the transit-dependent population in Northern Kentucky, particularly those with no or limited access to personal vehicles, zero-car households, and seniors. Additionally, with limited resources and constrained local funding, we have to do more with less and focus more on our service delivery approach. These changes allow us to connect more unconnected Northern Kentucky neighborhoods and transit-dependent people with fixed-route buses and on-demand transit services. After careful consideration of the feedback received, these service and fare changes will begin on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025.

The changes taking effect are two-fold: Service Changes and Fare Increase

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Service Changes:

The service changes taking effect on March 22, 2025 are listed below:

Route Eliminations (17X, 22X, 32X, 61, 62):

17x – Alternative route for riders: 30x from the Ft Wright Hub

22x – Alternative route for riders: 42x from the Florence Hub

32x – Alternative route for riders: 42x from the Florence Hub OR 39x from the Limaburg Rd Park and Ride

Why:

Since the pandemic, as the nature of working downtown has changed, the nature of transit ridership has changed, particularly on downtown express routes. These routes cater more to people who commute to downtown Cincinnati but have suffered chronically low ridership since 2020. TANK is attempting to consolidate express routes, opening up resources that can help make other services more efficient. Nearby alternatives exist for current riders of these routes to get to and from their job’s downtown, as shown above.

61 – Riders of the 61 can ride Route 5 to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Covington. A stop at St. Elizabeth used to exist on the 5 but was removed when the 61 was created; that stop will be restored so people can still access the hospital.

62 – TANK will be working with CVG to develop an alternative solution for riders to navigate the CVG campus

Why:

Due to their purpose and layout, these routes are more limited in scope and thus have very low ridership.

Route Adjustments:

Route 42x – In response to feedback collected during the public comment period, 3 additional morning and evening “Park-and-Ride Only” trips will be added to this route. These trips will run directly from the Florence Hub to downtown Cincinnati in the mornings, and from Cincinnati directly to the Florence Hub in the evenings. Preview the upcoming schedule HERE (this schedule goes into effect 3/22/25).

Additional changes to the 42x include:

• In Florence, this route will now begin and end at the Turfway at Drexel and Turfway at Lloyd stops
• All trips will be moved back 15 minutes compared to the current schedule to allow for easier transfers in downtown Cincinnati

Southbank Shuttle – Downtown Cincinnati routing will change so that the Shuttle only runs on 2^nd and 3^rd streets in Cincinnati. All stops north of 3^rd Street and in the Banks will be removed. Preview the upcoming schedule HERE (this schedule goes into effect 3/22/25).

• A stop on 2^nd Street will be added outside of the Freedom Center, at the corner of Vine and 2nd. The stop on 3^rd and Main will stay where it is. 

• The stop at Broadway and Pete Rose (headed south to Newport) will be moved around the corner onto the 2^nd Street ramp (next to the Reds Stadium/Central Riverfront Garage). 
• The LL ramp will not be converted back to a double left turn, because of this we will need to remove the Broadway at Pete Rose stop

Route 5 – The stop at St. Elizabeth in Covington will be restored to Route 5, from 8AM-8PM Monday-Friday. Preview the upcoming schedule HERE (this schedule goes into effect 3/22/25).

Route 30X – The weekend AM trip will now pick up in downtown Cincinnati at 6:45am (instead of 7:20) and arrive at Taylor Farms at 7:15am (instead of 7:50). Preview the upcoming schedule HERE (this schedule goes into effect 3/22/25).

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Fare Increase to $2.00 on Saturday, March 22, 2025:

TANK, like most transit agencies, received an injection of federal funding at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, but those funds will be depleted in the next couple of years. TANK has not raised fares in over 15 years, but as a result of increased costs, limited increases in local funding, and the loss of federal operating dollars, fares will be increased to $2.00 on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 to assist TANK with generating operating funding to continue to provide vital transit services to Northern Kentucky. Reduced fares will be $1.00 for all routes. All other fares not listed – including Metro/TANK Passes – will remain the same.

However, frequent riders will be able to save more money soon, with the start of TANK’s new account-based ticketing program coming later in 2025. TANK is working with Metro on an account-based ticketing (ABT) program which will allow frequent riders who are unable to purchase a monthly pass each month the ability to ‘pay their way’ to a monthly pass. Once a rider has purchased enough single rides (within the span of a single month) to cover the cost of a monthly pass, they will be able to ride for the remainder of the month at no cost.