Book-a-Bus – the new, flexible transport option for rural areas

Travelling around the rural areas of West Sussex has become easier with the introduction of Book-a-Bus, a flexible, on-demand bus service.

Launched by the county council, the new service will operate within set zones and offer passenger pick-up in a location closer to you with travel to your destination, all for the same price as a standard bus fare, currently capped at £2 per trip until 31 October 2023.

The first two Book-a-Bus zones cover the rural areas around Chichester and Petworth:

• 99 and 99 Flex - operated by Compass Travel (Petworth to Chichester zone)
• 98 Flex - operated by CT Sussex (North Petworth zone)

Additional zones are currently being explored, all serving those communities where conventional bus travel is limited. These include villages in the Barnham, Eastergate and Westergate area not served by frequent conventional bus services.

This new flexible service is part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan, a county council initiative, funded by central government, that aims to make it easier and more attractive for residents and visitors to travel by bus.

You can find out more at www.westsussex.gov.uk/book-a-bus