FlexiBus
Flexible, on-demand bus travel
FlexiBus is a flexible, on-demand rideshare service, for areas with limited or no bus service. Residents can book a FlexiBus journey to their nearest town, train station, hospital and other key destinations.
Book now
Call: 01273 078203 (6.30am to 7.30pm, Monday to Saturday)
Online: via the Ride Pingo app
Plan your journey
Journeys can be made:
- to and from anywhere within a zone
- to and from key destinations outside a zone (eg towns, other transport links etc)
FlexiBus operates exclusively for places not served by a regular bus service. You can’t book a FlexiBus journey to travel along an existing public transport route.
Operating times
Services run 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday (not Sundays or Bank holidays).
Zones and key destinations
All zones map
See all FlexiBus zones and the key destinations outside each zone.
To view the key destinations outside a zone (eg towns, other transport links etc) use the layer icon on the top right.
Area maps
Travel to and from:
- anywhere within a zone
- key destinations outside a zone (eg towns, other transport links etc)
| (see maps for more) | Zone | Operational |
| Lewes, Polegate, Seaford, Newhaven | Zone 1 | Yes |
| Newick, Uckfield, Lewes, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath | Zone 2 | Yes |
| Forest Row, East Grinstead, Crowborough, Uckfield | Zone 3 | from 30 May |
| Crowborough, Heathfield, Hailsham, Uckfield | Zone 4 | Yes |
| Tunbridge Wells, Mayfield, Crowborough | Zone 5 | Yes |
| Hawkhurst, Heathfield, Mayfield, Etchingham | Zone 6 | Yes |
| Battle, Ninfield, Robertsbridge, Heathfield | Zone 7 | Yes |
| Bexhill, Herstmonceux, Ninfield, Battle | Zone 8 | Yes |
| Hawkhurst, Northiam, Hastings, Robertsbridge | Zone 9 | Yes |
| Hastings, Rye, Northiam | Zone 10 | from 30 May |
How to book
You can book a FlexiBus ride up to 30 minutes before you want to travel and up to 7 days in advance. Bookings can be made online, using an app and by telephone to our call centre.
You can book up to five seats per trip, subject to availability.
To help make rides as efficient as possible, passengers cannot add multiple stops or change their pickup/drop off location.
Book by phone
Call 01273 078203 - 6.30am to 7.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
At busy times, you can leave a voicemail message and someone will call you back.
Downloading the Ride Pingo App
Using the Ride Pingo app
Download the Ride Pingo app using a smartphone or tablet. Scan the QR code above or use the links below:
With Ride Pingo, you can:
- quickly see your closest meeting point
- book and pay for your ride
- track your vehicle in real-time.
Watch a video: How to use the Ride Pingo app
Pre-purchased tickets are validated by the driver, or you can pay on the bus with cash. Card payments on the bus will be coming soon.
Booking confirmation
App bookings 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. All buses will have the FlexiBus branding on the side and the front.
Receipts are sent via email.
Cancellations and missed rides
Cancel a booking via the app or by phone. If you cancel up to 30 minutes before the start of your booking, you will receive a full refund.
Missed rides delay other passengers - please cancel where possible. Missed rides will be charged in full. Frequent cancellations or missed rides may result in your account being suspended.
Late buses
We will always aim to be at your meeting point on time but occasionally circumstances out of our control may cause a delay. You can use the app to keep updated on the bus arrival time.
Fares and tickets
FlexiBus uses a simple fare structure to make it easier to understand and budget for. The cost will be clearly displayed on the app or when booking over the phone.
Until November 2024, the cost of FlexiBus fares will be lower due to the Government price cap. See: Help for Households - travel costs - GOV.UK
| Fare type | Age/concession | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Concessionary pass holder | Free (usual time restrictions apply) | |
| Under 5s | Free | |
| Single | Adult | £2 fare price cap (normally £3.50) |
| Child (5-18) | £2 fare price cap (normally £2.50) | |
| Return | Adult | £4 fare price cap (normally £4.50) |
| Child (5-18) | £3 | |
| Day Pass | Adult | £5 |
| Young Persons (19-29) | £3.75 | |
| Child (5-18) | £3.20 |
How to pay
You can pay when booking, by debit or credit card, within the Ride Pingo app or over the phone.
Payment can also be made on the bus by cash (card payments on the bus will be coming soon).
Concessionary pass holders
Concessionary pass holders travel free. The usual time restrictions apply, see: When you can use your bus pass.
Show the driver your bus pass when boarding and tap it on the on bus ticket machine. Concessionary pass holders are still required to cancel rides if travel plans change.
Multi-Operator Day Passes
Multi-Operator Day Passes can be used on FlexiBus services. Tickets can be bought via the app or on the bus. FlexiBus services will accept Multi-Operator Day Passes that have been issued by other operators that are participating in the East Sussex scheme.
Travelling with us
Accessibility
Buses are accessible by wheelchair users via a rear lift and have a wheelchair space on board which can be booked through the app or by phone. Due to limited space on board we cannot carry mobility scooters.
Assistance dogs are welcome on board our buses.
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.
This 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 as close as possible to your destination to save you having to walk too far. You can also request this option through the call centre.
Travelling with children
Prams and buggies may sometimes need to be folded to keep the dedicated wheelchair space free.
Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a passenger 15 years or above.
Children who are 15 or older who are travelling on their own are recommend, if possible, to book via the app on the device they will be travelling with, so they can receive trip notifications.
Lost property
If you have left something on board, please get in touch via telephone 01273 078203. We will try and reunite you with your lost item as soon as possible.
Feedback
Your feedback helps us improve our service.
Users of the Ride Pingo app can give feedback during various stages of the booking process and will also be prompted to give a ride rating, following a journey.
You can also send us feedback using the contact details on this page, or via our social media channels.
Contact us
- Phone: 01273 078203 - 6.30am to 7.30pm, Monday to Saturday (not Sundays or Bank holidays)
- Email: FlexiBus team