99 Bus and 99 Flex

99 Bus and 99 Flex zone and key destinations

There are two buses operating in the 99 Bus zone, serving the Chichester and Petworth area:

  • The 99 Bus - a conventional bus service, meaning the route is timetabled and with fixed stops. This service cannot be booked.
  • The 99 Flex - a fully flexible service, meaning there is no conventional bus timetable. Can be booked up to 48 hours in advance or on the same day. The 99 Flex can connect you to locations with onward travel such as connections to railway stations or local bus services. This bus can travel flexibly within the zone outlined in our interactive map below.

The 99 Bus and 99 Flex accepts both cash and card payments on the bus.

To travel on the 99 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.

Confirm a pick-up or drop-off within the zone (or an onward connection point marked in black) on the Ride Pingo app or via our call centre on 01243 858854 (operating hours 6.30am to 7.30pm). A full list of pick-up or drop-off points and onward connection points can be viewed on the Ride Pingo app.

Travelling on the 99 Flex

Book-a-Bus vehicles

The 99 Flex uses a conventional bus that is fully accessible with low floor access making it easier to board for those with mobility issues or those in a wheelchair.

Frequently asked questions

  • The Bus 99 will operate in the rural area between Chichester and Petworth and will be timetabled with fixed stops.

    The 99 Flex will operate flexibly in the Petworth rural area with no fixed stops, instead operating within a flexible zone determined by live bookings.

    Areas covered by the 99 Flex include:

    • Amberley
    • Barlavington Manor
    • Burton Mill Pond Car Park
    • Bury
    • Byworth
    • Charlton
    • Chichester
    • Coates
    • Coldwaltham
    • Duncton
    • Eartham
    • East Dean
    • Egdean
    • Fittleworth
    • Goodwood Racecourse
    • Graffham
    • Halnaker
    • Hardman
    • Heath End
    • Heyshott
    • Houghton
    • Midhurst
    • Petworth
    • Pulborough Railway Station
    • Selham
    • Singleton
    • Stopham
    • Sutton and Bignor
    • Upwaltham
    • Watersfield
    • West Burton
    • Westerton and Waterbeach
    • Westhampnett and Maudlin.
    View the interactive map (external link)
    • The Bus 99 is a conventional bus service meaning the route is timetabled with fixed stops. You cannot book a ride with the bus.
    • The 99 Flex is a fully flexible bus service meaning there is no conventional bus timetable. This bus can travel flexibly within the zone, taking in passengers determined by live bookings. This bus service can be booked up to 48 hours in advance.

  • Bus pick-up locations will remain the same for the existing 99 Bus with fixed bus stops.

    Bus pick-up locations for the 99 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 99 Flex can be viewed on the Ride Pingo app.

  • The Bus 99 will remain a conventional bus service following a timetabled route and with designated fixed stops.

    The 99 Flex is a fully flexible service with no conventional bus timetable, can travel flexibly within the designated zone, picking up passengers determined by live bookings.

    This approach has been taken as it ensures passengers who use the existing Bus 99 service will be able to continue doing so using the existing timetable.

  • The existing 99 Bus will remain the same, operating the current timetable. A new fully on-demand service has been added to the Bus 99 offering, known as the 99 Flex. This will operate 7.00am - 7.00pm, Monday to Saturday, offering more public transport to people in rural areas.

  • This is a trial service set up in 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 bus service is constantly undergoing review to understand better ways to improve the service, meaning some locations are subject to change.

Fares and tickets

Book-a-Bus uses a simple fare structure to make it easier to understand and budget for. The cost will be clearly displayed on the app or stated when booking over the phone.

Until December 2024 Book-a-Bus fares will be fixed at lower prices due to the Government price cap. More information on the price cap is available from Help for Households – travel costs.

Fare structure

Concessionary pass holder

  • Free (usual time restrictions apply)

Under 5s

  • Free

Child (Age 5-18)

  • Single - £2.00 fare price cap (normally £2.60)
  • Return - £3.75

Adult

  • Single - £2.00 fare price cap (normally £3.30)
  • Return - £4.00 fare price cap (normally £5.00)

Bus it! is part of the wider Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which is funded by the Department for Transport.