FAQs
Does the FLEX Route follow a fixed schedule with regular stop times?
The FLEX Route is a 40-minute, circular route which completes a roundtrip approximately every 40 minutes, Monday through Friday from 8 am – 6 pm. Click here to download the current Northwest FLEX Route Schedule.
Stop times may be subject to change to accommodate one Standard FLEX and up to two By-Request FLEXes per round trip. All FLEXes must be scheduled at least two hours in advance.
Back to top
Do all stops on the FLEX Route offer connections to other WRTA fixed routes?
Only the following stops allow connections to other WRTA fixed routes:
- Park Ave. and Grove St. (connect to Routes 30 and 31)
- Park Ave. and Highland St. (connect to Route 3)
- Park Ave. and Pleasant St. (connect to Route 2)
- Park Ave. and Chandler St. (connect to Route 6)
- Park Ave. and May St. (connect to Route 7)
- Worcester State College (connects to Routes 3 and 6)
- May St. and Pleasant St. (connect to Route 2)
Back to top
Can I ride the FLEX Route like a normal bus route?
Yes, riders can travel between regular stops on the FLEX Route just like any normal bus route. Simply locate a stop along the route, and consult the schedule. The FLEX Route minibus will stop at all designated stops at scheduled times on all trips.
Back to top
What is a FLEX?
A FLEX is a deviation off a regularly scheduled route. There are two types of FLEX travel offered:
- Standard FLEX
- By-Request FLEX
Back to top
What is a Standard FLEX?
A Standard FLEX allows riders to travel off the regular FLEX Route to access several popular locations in the area. Only one Standard FLEX can be scheduled per roundtrip.
To schedule a FLEX, call (508) 752-9283 (option 4) at least two hours in advance, and a WRTA Customer Service representative will be happy to help you. FLEXes may be requested up to seven days in advance.
Back to top
What are the locations of the Standard FLEX stops?
- Jewish Community Center (Salisbury Street)
- Colony Retirement Home (Holden Street)
- Bancroft School (Shore Drive)
- YMCA Greendale (Shore Drive)
- Price Rite Plaza (Gold Star Boulevard)
- Greendale Mall
- Clark University (Main Street) & Routes 19, 27, 33
Back to top
What is a By-Request FLEX?
A By-Request FLEX allows riders to travel “curb-to-curb” up to one quarter-mile off the regular FLEX Route, unlike any conventional fixed route service. Only two By-Request FLEXes can be scheduled per roundtrip.
To schedule a FLEX, call (508) 752-9283 (option 4) at least two hours in advance, and a WRTA Customer Service representative will be happy to help you. FLEXes may be requested up to seven days in advance.
Back to top
How do I know if the street I need to travel to is accessible by a By-Request FLEX?
The Northwest FLEX Route allows By-Request FLEX access to over 150 streets in the area that aren’t accessible by a full size WRTA bus. Find out if the street you’d like to travel to is accessible by searching the street name.
Please note that access to certain portions of accessible streets may be limited and subject to change as noted in the special conditions column, often due to hard-to-maneuver road conditions.
If you have any questions regarding streets accessible by the By-Request FLEX service, please call WRTA Customer Service at (508) 752-9283 (option 4).
Back to top
What happens if the FLEX I want to schedule is unavailable?
Only one Standard FLEX and two By-Request FLEXes can be scheduled per round trip, and all FLEXes must be scheduled at least two hours in advance.
When you call to schedule a FLEX, please have an alternate time (and/or date) ready in the event that your request cannot be filled, because there may already be three FLEXes on the trip you wish to request. Check the FLEX Route schedule and see if one may accommodate you in the event you cannot reserve your FLEX.
Back to top
I can’t miss an appointment coming up next week. How early can I schedule a FLEX?
Plan ahead! A Standard FLEX or a By-Request FLEX can be scheduled as early as seven days in advance of your trip.
Back to top
Will the FLEX Route minibus wait for me at my scheduled stop?
No. In order to stay on schedule, the FLEX Route minibus will not wait at the stop so passengers must be waiting at their scheduled time and location.
Back to top
What if I miss my scheduled FLEX pickup?
A passenger who “No Shows” at a scheduled FLEX or cancels late (within two hours of a scheduled FLEX) will not be allowed to schedule another FLEX for 30 days.
Back to top
Why does the FLEX Route travel south in the morning and north in the afternoon?
The FLEX Route travels south on Park Avenue (Grove Street to May Street) in the morning and reverses direction to travel north in the afternoon in order to go against the strongest flow of traffic during busy commute hours. This change in direction allows the FLEX Route to stay approximately on-time.
Back to top
I need to review these details again before I use the FLEX Route. Can I print a Fact Sheet
to put on my refrigerator?
Sure, click here to download a FLEX Facts sheet. Everything you need to know about the FLEX Route
is just one click away.
Back to top
Help! I’m still confused about the FLEX Route. Who can I talk to?
Call the WRTA Customer Service Center at (508) 752-9283 (option 4) with any questions. A WRTA representative will be happy to help you.
Back to top |
