FlexiLink - Cheshire East flexible transport service

FlexiLink is a 'demand responsive' transport solution which provides opportunities for travel for older and disabled people, as well as those who live beyond the reach of public transport, so that they may access their nearest village or town for essential services, such as basic shopping needs, accessing health care and social facilities or maybe banking and financial services.

Rather than operating to a set timetable or route, FlexiLink provides shared transport to passengers who specify their desired location and the time of pick-up and drop-off.

The fare is £3 per journey or free if you have a concessionary bus pass.

Passengers must register to use the service and all journeys must be pre-booked so that routes can be planned efficiently.

Who is eligible 

FlexiLink offers travel for Cheshire East residents who:

• are aged 80 or over
• or have a disability
• or live beyond the reach of any other public transport.

Hours of FlexiLink service

The core hours of the service are between 9.30am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.

How to book on FlexiLink

Call 0300 123 5110 to book a journey (local call charges apply, calls from mobiles may cost more), or email us at flexilink@ansa.co.uk for a booking form. We aim to reply within 24 hrs Monday to Friday. The booking line is open 10am - 1pm Monday to Friday.

Customers registered to use FlexiLink may request a booking by calling us between 48 hours ahead and one month in advance of when you wish to travel. The more notice customers can provide, the more efficiently we will be able to plan each journey and route.

As with public transport, you should expect to travel with other passengers who may be going to different destinations. Journeys may take longer than expected and you should allow for this when making a booking request.

Whilst we will try to accommodate your request, please be aware that it may not always be possible to do so. If vehicles are fully booked at the time you have requested, we will do everything possible to accommodate you with an alternative and convenient time to suit.

How to register

The FlexiLink service is open for new customers. If you wish to start using the service you can apply by completing the Apply for flexible transport online form. The form takes 3 minutes to complete. 

Before completing the form you may need the following:  

• Blue badge number
• make and model of your wheelchair
• bus pass number and expiry date

To find out how we use your information see our privacy notice (opens in a new window).

Or you can complete our application form (PDF, 148KB) and send it to Flexilink@ansa.co.uk or return it to the address below:

Ansa Transport
Environmental Hub
Cledford Lane
Middlewich
CW10 0JR

Alternatively, ring our booking line on 0300 123 5110 to register your details, or email us at FlexiLink@ansa.co.uk.

Group bookings

If you wish to book on behalf of a group please call the booking line, ensuring that you have details of all passengers and the journey you wish to make, to hand.

Change or cancel a booking

To change or cancel a booking on FlexiLink, call 0300 123 5110 (10am - 1pm Monday to Friday). If the line is busy please leave a message.Tell us as early as possible if you need to cancel a booking as we may be able to offer the seat to another customer.

Failure to cancel an unwanted booking results in a wasted journey and could mean that another customer doesn't get the opportunity to travel on the service.

English national concessionary travel scheme (accepted on this service)

If you are disabled or of state pension age, you may be entitled to free off-peak concessionary travel on local buses anywhere in England. For more information refer to the bus passes and tickets page.

Concessionary bus pass holders

You can travel free after 9.30am if you have a concessionary bus pass. Show your bus pass to the driver when you board the bus. If you are travelling before 9.30am you will need to pay half fare, currently £1.50.

If you do not have a bus pass the fare is £3 per journey. 

Disabled bus pass holders

You can travel for free at any time if you have a visual impairment. You must show the driver your Cheshire East Disabled Bus Pass in the fluorescent wallet when you board the bus.

Ansa Transport will contact you directly if you are an existing customer who uses a wheelchair, to make arrangements for a wheelchair assessment.