Book-a-Bus

Meet Book-a-Bus, a flexible on-demand service, for areas with limited or no bus service.

Book trips up to 48 hours in-advance to key destinations such as your nearest town, train station, hospital and more.

Latest news

Planned road closures affecting the 96 Flex route

Starting on 7 October 2024, South Harting, Nyewood and Rogate will be impacted by the 54 Bus and Book-a-Bus route diversions. This is due to the planned road closures affecting these areas.

To alleviate the disruption, passengers may need to use Book-a-Bus to connect to other fixed bus routes including the Bus route 60, 91, 92 and 93.

Those impacted by the 54 Bus route diversion who wish to travel to Chichester can use Book-a-Bus (96 Flex) to Midhurst Bus Station then connect to Bus 60 to Chichester.

Those impacted by the 54 Bus route diversion who wish to travel to Petersfield can use Book-a-Bus (96 Flex) to connect to Rogate, then use bus route 91,92, or 93 to Petersfield.

For those travelling in the opposite direction, please follow the alternative routes provided in reverse.

We urge everyone affected to plan your trip accordingly.

For more information on the road closure, visit the Uppark House website.

Travel with the 97 Flex!

The 97 Flex zone serves Barnham and its surrounding areas. The bus follows a semi-fixed bus route and timetable during peak travel hours and becomes fully flexible during off-peak hours.

Special Book-a-Bus discounts

Until 2 November 2024, if you travel with Book-a-Bus to these locations you will get special discounts:

  • Amberley Museum - Get 2 tickets for the price of 1 when visiting the museum.
  • Arundel Museum - Visit the museum for only £4 per ticket (adults and seniors only).
  • Ashling Park Estate - Get 10% off using the code “BOOKABUS10%” when booking a visit. Those under the age of 18 are not allowed on alcohol related activities. Advance booking is required.
  • Langham Brewery - Get 10% off your first drink order.

Ask your Book-a-Bus driver for a token as proof of travel to get the discount.

Discounts and tokens valid only on the day of travel for Book-a-Bus users.

Book-a-Bus zones

99 Flex - South of Petworth

98 Flex - North Petworth

97 Flex Barnham

96 Flex - North West Chichester

How to book

Online

The easiest way to use Book-a-Bus is via our app.

Phone 01243 858854 (operating hours 6.30am to 7.30pm).

You can book up to 48 hours in advance and up to five seats per trip, subject to availability.

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.

Fares and tickets

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

Adult

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

Child (Age 5-18)

  • Single - £1.00 (normally £2.60)
  • Return - £2.00 (normally £3.75)

Under 5s

  • Free

Concessionary pass holder

How to pay

Pay on app

You can pay using your debit or credit card when booking via the app.

Book and ‘Pay later’ on bus

Payment can also be made on the bus using cash, card or contactless.

Operating in rural areas, means payment machines may occasionally fail. It's helpful if you have the exact fare with you.

Promotional fares now appear in the app so you can pay in advance.

Don't forget your pass, card, or cash for use on the bus if needed!

Introducing 'Book-a-Bus', your new way to travel in West Sussex!

Watch our 'Book-a-Bus' video.

1 mins

Travelling with us

Accessibility

All Book-a-Bus vehicles are accessible with space for wheelchairs on board. Due to limited space on board, we cannot carry mobility scooters.

Drivers are highly trained and can offer extra support at your pick-up point or destination. If you have a specific requirement or want to request a meeting point closer to your home to assist with accessibility, please contact us.

If you have a visual impairment or mobility limitations and use a frame, walking stick or crutches, you can use the ‘mobility assistance’ option in the app or through the call centre.

The ‘mobility assistance’ option means you will not need to book the dedicated wheelchair space, but the vehicle will still get as close as possible for your pick-up and drop you off as close as possible to your destination to save you having to walk too far.

Traveling with children

Prams and buggies may sometimes need to be folded by passengers to keep the dedicated wheelchair space free.

Children who are travelling on their own are, where possible, recommended to book via the app on the device they will be travelling with. This is so that they can receive trip notifications. If someone else makes the booking, that person will receive the booking updates, not the traveller.

Traveling with pets

Passengers are allowed to travel with pets but cannot take up anymore seats or spaces than booked.

Traveling with a bike

For passenger safety, bicycles cannot be carried onboard. This restricts access for others, including wheelchair users.

Frequently asked questions

  • Bookings made on the app will receive a confirmation within the app, with an estimated pick-up and drop-off time. This time may vary slightly, within a few minutes either side of the estimated time.

    Telephone bookings will receive a confirmation phone call where contact details have been provided. 

    Your ride confirmation will be the zone name and vehicle number plate. The driver will check your booking details when you board.

    Receipts are sent via email.

  • When boarding the bus, let the driver know the name the journey is booked under or the booking reference number. If you’re travelling using a concessionary pass, you will need to show this to the driver when boarding.

  • When booking on demand, you will have to wait 0 to 45 minutes to be picked up.

    Please be at your pickup point 10 minutes in advance where possible.

  • If you no longer need to make a journey that you have booked, cancel your booking via the app or by phoning the call centre on 01243 858854 (operating hours 6.30am to 7.30pm). This will free up a seat for someone else and make the bus service more efficient.

    If you cancel up to 30 minutes before the start of your booking, you will receive a full refund.

  • Missed rides delay other passengers so please cancel where possible. Missed rides will be charged in full. Frequent cancellations or missed rides may result in your account being suspended.

    When traveling, the bus will wait at your expected pick-up location for approximately 90 seconds before cancelling your trip.

  • Book-a-Bus is a flexible bus (ride sharing service), not a taxi meaning booking times may vary slightly on the day to the requested time.

    Remain up-to-date on the app with the live bus arrival time. If the bus is running 60 seconds or more behind the estimated time of arrival, the app will notify you.

  • When booking your Book-a-Bus service by phone or app, West Sussex County Council aim to fulfil all journeys where possible. However, due to the nature of the flexible service, when demand is high there may be occasions when bookings may become unfulfilled.

  • You can only be picked up and dropped off inside one zone. To travel outside of zones using Book-a-Bus, you can be taken to locations where there are connecting bus services to destinations outside of the zone.

  • Concessionary pass holders travel free. The usual time restrictions apply.

    Show the driver your bus pass when boarding.

    Concessionary pass holders are still required to cancel rides if travel plans change.

  • Currently, Multi-Operator day passes cannot be used on Book-a-Bus. The Book-a-Bus team are working to get this live as soon as possible.

  • Yes, you can travel by yourself. A taxi may be used when there is high demand and additional vehicles need to be dispatched to meet demand.

  • This is a ride share service so there may be other people being collected on route to your destination.

Feedback

Your feedback helps us improve our service.

Users of the Ride Pingo app and the Book-a-Bus Barnham app can give feedback during various stages of the booking process. You will also be prompted to give a ride rating following a journey.

You can also leave your feedback on WestSussBus or by emailing transporthub@westsussex.gov.uk

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