BATA Makes National Cherry Festival Transportation Simple
For Immediate Release
DATE: June 25, 2025
CONTACT: Eric Lingaur lingaure@bata.net 231-933-5534 or 734.968.6210
BATA Makes National Cherry Festival Transportation Simple
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The Bay Area Transportation Authority and the National Cherry Festival are again partnering to make getting around to all the festival activities free and easy. BATA’s free Bayline route allows riders to avoid traffic, construction and parking hassles. Buses run until midnight throughout the festival to accommodate late night firework shows and concert events.
There are free Park-n-Ride lots located at Meijer US-31, Northwestern Michigan College’s Cherry Lot, and Woodland Creek furniture. Buses can be tracked in real-time using BATA’s online Bus Tracker www.batabustracker.com and depart every 15 minutes.
“BATA is pleased to offer a transportation option that makes it easy for people to enjoy all the exciting activities the Cherry Festival has to offer,” said Chris Davis, BATA’s Interim-Executive Director. “BATA’s Cherry Festival Bayline service will help families spend less time hunting for a parking spot and sitting in traffic and more time making memories.”
Riders can board at any of the featured Park-n-Ride lots or anywhere along the Bayline route from Meijer to East Grand Traverse Bay including all the hotels located along and US-31 and will be dropped off in downtown Traverse City at BATA’s Hall Street Transfer Station just steps from The Open Space. When festival goers are ready to return to their homes or hotels, they simply head back to Hall Street and catch the bus heading west toward Meijer or east to the NMC Cherry Lot, East Bay Beach District hotels and Woodland Creek.
Last year BATA provided around 20,000 rides during the Cherry Festival.
In addition, BATA provides transportation to the Coast Guard Open Ramp activities (June 27) and the MSU Orchard Tours in Leelanau County June 30 – July 4. Learn more about BATA’s Cherry Festival transportation options at www.bata.net/cherryfestival.
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About BATA
The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) provides more than 420,000 rides per year, connecting the residents and guests of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties to work, school, shopping, recreational activities, and to each other. Services include dedicated routes and fixed stops within Traverse City (City Loop), regular service along the Bays (Bayline), regular connections to outlying communities (Village Loop), and on-demand transportation (Link.) For more information or help planning your trip, visit bata.net or call 231.941.2324.
Plan your day with an easy to read timetable of stop locations for your route.