98 Flex - North Petworth
Book-a-Bus 98 Flex
98 Flex - Fully Flexible - go anywhere in the zone, serving the north of Petworth area:
- Monday to Saturday: 7am to 7pm
Book on-demand travel up to 48 hours in advance to a destination within the 98 Flex zone.
Latest news
Advance notice: New booking app for 96, 98 and 99 Flex Book-a-Bus users from Monday 11 May 2026.
From 11 May, the Ride Pingo app will no longer be supported or used to book journeys with Book-a-Bus. We are moving to a new, dedicated Book-a-Bus app.
Journeys with the 96, 98, and 99 Flex services until 9 May 2026 will not be affected and can be booked as usual via the Ride Pingo app.
Bookings by phone through our call centre remain the same.
You can prepare for the change by downloading the Book-a-Bus app from the App Store and Google Play Store. You can only book rides with the 96, 98 and 99 Flex via this app from 11 May 2026.
If you’re a 97 Flex rider, you already have the app and can access booking other Book-a-Bus services from 11 May 2026.
Get to know the 98 Flex zone
How to book the 98 Flex Book-a-Bus
Online
The easiest way to use Book-a-Bus is via our app.
For the 98 Flex, download the Ride Pingo app:
Phone 01243 858854 (operating hours 6.30am to 7.30pm).
From 11 May 2026, Ride Pingo will no longer be supported. To continue journeys on these services, download the Book-a-Bus app.
Book up to 48 hours in advance.
To travel on the 98 Flex, first check to see whether your journey starts and ends within the zone or if you are travelling to locations outside of the zone which the bus serves.
You can’t Book-a-Bus to travel along an existing public transport route, including during hours before or after the traditional bus services starts or finishes. The app or our call centre will advise you on an alternative service to take instead.
How to use the Ride Pingo App
1 mins
Fares and tickets
Until March 2027, Book-a-Bus fares are fixed at £3 per trip, thanks to the national bus fare cap.
The cost will be clearly displayed on the app or stated when booking over the phone.
If you’re a new user, use the code BookABusFree when booking a ride for the first time.
Fare structure
Adult
- single - £3
- return - £5
- concessionary pass holder - Free (usual time restrictions apply)
- 16 to 20 Bus Saver discount accepted - Valid only for young people aged 16 to 20
Child (Age 5 to 18)
- return - £2.50
Under 5s
- free
Day riders (valid for unlimited use for one day across all Book-a-Bus services)
- adult day rider - £9
- child day rider - £5
Group and family fares
- group fare (up to 4 adults) - £15
- family fare (up to 4 people, minimum 1 adult and 1 child) - £12
Frequently asked questions (specific to 98 Flex)
-
No. The new app won’t change how you use Book‑a‑Bus. The update brings the 96, 98 and 99 services into the Book‑a‑Bus app used for the 97 Flex service. Booking to use the 97 service remains unchanged.
-
Existing journeys booked on the 96, 98 and 99 Flex services before Monday 11 May 2026 will not be affected. Journeys from Monday 11 May 2026 will need to be booked in the new Book-a-Bus app or by calling the booking centre.
-
The 98 Flex zone locations served can be seen on our interactive map below.
View interactive map (external link) -
Bus pick-up locations for the 98 Flex are at designated bus stops or areas within the zone. A full list of pick-up or drop-off points, and onward connection points for the 98 Flex can be viewed on the Ride Pingo app.
-
This is a trial for Demand Responsive Transport service set up to target areas with limited access to public transport.
-
In some cases, within the zone, certain booking restrictions have been applied where there is a public transport service already in place.
-
The 98 Flex can be used to travel in select pick-up and drop-off points in Billingshurst. To travel beyond these locations, use Billilinks taxi service or phone 01403 786818.
Bus it! is part of the wider Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which is funded by the Department for Transport.