By 1808Delaware
Beginning January 2, Delaware County Transit will introduce a targeted update to its FLEX microtransit service, a same-day, curb-to-curb option.
The change is narrowly focused but important, reflecting steady growth in ridership and the practical challenges that come with success. FLEX is still very much an on-demand service, but transit officials are adjusting one rule to keep trips running smoothly and to reduce the kind of cascading delays that can affect multiple riders at once.
What Changes and What Stays the Same
The update applies only to Arrive-By trips, which allow riders to request that they reach a destination by a specific time rather than simply requesting a pickup. Starting in January, those trips must be scheduled at least 60 minutes in advance of the desired arrival time.
This added lead time gives dispatchers more flexibility to group trips efficiently and keep vehicles on schedule as demand increases. Other FLEX trips that are not Arrive-By requests remain bookable the same day without the new one-hour requirement, although early booking is still encouraged when possible. Importantly, this is not a service reduction. Hours, service areas, and fares remain unchanged, with adult fares staying at $2 one-way and reduced fares of $1 continuing for youth, seniors, and riders with disabilities.
How FLEX Works Day to Day
FLEX operates as a neighborhood-focused microtransit service rather than a fixed-route bus system, picking riders up and dropping them off close to their requested locations. In Delaware City, FLEX runs Monday through Friday from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In Sunbury and nearby areas, service runs Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Riders can schedule same-day trips by calling 740-363-3355 or using the Transit app during service hours. When booking, riders should clearly indicate whether the trip is an Arrive-By request, since those are now subject to the 60-minute advance rule. Cancellations should be made at least one hour before pickup to avoid no-show penalties.
How This Fits Into the Bigger Transit Picture
The change does not affect Delaware County Transit’s county-wide Demand Response service, which continues to require booking by noon the day before travel. Taken together, the FLEX update is best understood as a fine-tuning rather than a shift in philosophy.
As more residents rely on microtransit for work, appointments, and daily errands, small adjustments like this help preserve reliability without sacrificing the flexibility that makes FLEX appealing in the first place. In that sense, the new rule is less about restriction and more about keeping the system usable as it grows.
