revised 2/4/26
BUSES ON DEMAND ARE HERE
The flexibus is a hidden gem in East Sussex which can get you to almost any spot not served by ordinary transport.
- You can book the bus from any point in Lewes (but you must travel out of the town), but it is wise to pick somewhere where the minibus will find it easy to stop.
- You can use the service to go to almost anywhere in East Sussex not served by ordinary transport outside Lewes except Telscombe Village (even one bus a day will disqualify). But your destination must be within 9 miles of your pick up point as the crow flies. You can use an ordinary bus or a train to get to your pickup point. So you could go from Polegate station to (for example) Herstmonceux church.
- Bus passes are valid subject to the normal conditions
- For paying passengers fares are roughly in line with ordinary buses- currently capped at £3 per single journey. East Sussex tickets which cover all services will be valid.
- No animals except assistance dogs.
- No unaccompanied under 15 year olds.
- 1 wheelchair space and also improved facilities for people who do not need a wheelchair but who have mobility issues.
- Because these are minbuses, there are limited spaces. You can book up to 9 places in one booking if there is space available. You may find that there are no places available at the time you want to book.
- The service operates between 07.00 and 19.00 Monday to Friday except bank holidays (so no late night trips back from the pub)
- Book by the “flexibus” mobile app (available from app stores) or through your browser by visiting https://flexibus.eastsussex.gov.uk/ or by phoning 01273 078 203 between 10.00 and 15.00 Monday to Friday.
- Book between 1 week and 30 minutes before your trip if there are spaces. Cancel up to 30 minutes before.
- If you don’t turn up you may be charged. It is not clear what happens if you do not turn up because your train or bus is delayed or whether the minibuses will wait for connections.
BOOKING A TRIP
All apps are hard to get used to. It may be worth phoning for your first journeys. The app can be very slow to load.
If using the app you will be asked to create an account. Although some of the information tells you that you should register your bus pass there is no way to do it.
Once registered you can select your proposed journey up to a week in advance. If you are offered a Flexibus as part of your journey you will need to book it. If you have a bus pass select “pay on the bus” when asked how you will pay and show your pass when you get on. You can also do this if you are paying, but will also have the opportunity to pay online by adding a payment method to your account. (This gives the providers the ability to deduct money from your account whenever they think you owe them something)
If you have the app you can track where your minibus is while you are waiting.
You are not allowed to book more than 6 single journeys (3 returns) in a week.
Do let travelman know your experiences on travelman@travelloglewes.co.uk
revised 2/4/26