"The service helps me to get where I need to be quickly and affordably."
– Naledi , MK Connect rider
Like a shared taxi, but better.
Get on-demand, convenient and affordable rides in the Borough of Milton Keynes including Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Woburn Sands, Newport Pagnell, Wolverton and Stony Stratford.
MK Connect is the area's demand-responsive transportation service. You can book an MK Connect vehicle when you’re ready to travel, and unlike an immediate door-to-door taxi you may be sharing it with other people heading the same way. There will likely be a short wait just like at a bus stop. Most people wait around half an hour.
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NEW Price (as of April 2, 2023):
During peak hours (6am - 9am, 2pm - 5pm) rides are £3.85. At all other times rides are £2.75.
All in 1 MK card holders ride for £1.20
Free for Older and Disabled Persons bus pass holders after 9.30am on weekdays and free all day on weekends
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NEW Service hours (as of April 2, 2023):
Monday to Saturday 6am - 10pm
Sunday 9am - 6pm
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Accessibility:
Passengers with a wheelchair or disability including vision and hearing impairments will be matched with a fully accessible vehicle.
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Easy ways to pay:
Credit or debit card.
With your All in 1 MK card, Older Person's bus pass, or Disabled Person's bus pass.
Yes, simply call 01908 252526 and we’ll assist you over the phone. You may also follow this link to book on our web portal: http://mkconnect.app.ridewithvia.com/
Can I bring someone along with me?
You can bring up to 4 additional passengers. See the above section for a pricing breakdown.
Note: All children, regardless of age, must be marked as an additional passenger when booking your journey. This requirement is due to vehicle capacity restrictions based on the number of passengers.
Zero Tolerance Policy
MK Connect has a strict Zero Tolerance policy. We do not tolerate the use of drugs or alcohol by drivers on the MK Connect service platform nor do we tolerate inappropriate behaviour by drivers towards passengers.
If you believe that your driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, if your driver is behaving in a manner that you consider inappropriate or that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, or if your driver engages in conduct which could be considered unlawful or illegal, please ask the driver to terminate the trip immediately.
If you feel that you are in imminent danger, please contact the police directly by calling 999. After the ride has concluded, please provide feedback using the MK Connect app or visit https://mycouncil.milton-keynes.gov.uk/service/Passenger_Transport_Contact_Us to report the issue.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Via does not tolerate discrimination of any kind against our riders or driver partners. This includes discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religious belief or affiliation, gender, sex, sexual identity or orientation, age, veteran status, physical, mental or other disability (actual or perceived), rider’s points of departure and destination, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. Additionally, Via does not tolerate discrimination of any kind against service animals. Riders or driver partners found to have violated Via’s anti-discrimination policy will lose access to the Via Platform. If you believe that you have been subject to discrimination by a rider or driver partner, please provide feedback in the review function of the MK Connect app or contact us at https://mycouncil.milton-keynes.gov.uk/service/Passenger_Transport_Contact_Us.
How do I know where to meet my driver?
We’ll assign you a “virtual bus stop” where you’ll meet the vehicle, usually at a nearby corner or no more than a block away. Check the app for directions and follow your driver’s progress in real-time so you know exactly when to head to your stop.
Cigarette policy
Smoking of any kind is prohibited, including e-cigarettes, vaporizers, or smokeless cigarettes.
How do I pay for my rides?
When creating an account, you’ll be prompted to add your credit or debit card information. You will be automatically charged once you’ve completed a ride.
All in 1 MK card bus pass:
You can travel with MK Connect for £1.20 per trip if you have an All in 1 MK card. Just enter your card number (the 18-digit number on the back of your pass card) as a new payment method into the app and you’ll be all set. Don’t forget: you’ll have to show your bus pass card to your driver once you board the vehicle.
Older Person's or Disabled Person's bus pass:
Just enter your bus pass number (the 18-digit number on the back of your pass card) as a new payment method into the app and you’ll be all set. Don’t forget: you’ll have to show your bus pass card to your driver once you board the vehicle. If you’re travelling with someone, you will need to have a credit card on file to pay for the additional passenger, even if they are also a bus pass holder. Only one bus pass can be stored on each account, so any additional passengers must be paid for with a credit or debit card. When two bus pass riders want to ride with MK Connect, each passenger needs to create their own MK Connect account and book individually.
Can I cancel my ride?
If you cancel a ride within 1 minute from booking, we’ll waive the cost of the cancellation. Otherwise, we’ll charge you a full fare. If the driver cannot locate you after the 2-minute waiting period, you’ll be liable for a no-show penalty equivalent to a full fare.
What should I do if my driver leaves without me?
Re-book directly in your app, and then contact us in our support portal: https://mycouncil.milton-keynes.gov.uk/service/Passenger_Transport_Contact_Us. Please describe the incident so our team can investigate the matter. You can also reach our live support team by calling 01908 252526. Please note that this line is unavailable between 9-10am on Wednesdays.
What do the vehicles look like?
All vehicles are branded with MK Connect’s logo and colors, so they should be easy to spot.
Are vehicles wheelchair accessible?
Yes! Please let us know you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle when you book your ride by tapping your profile picture or image at the top of the app menu and tapping the Wheelchair Accessibility toggle to turn it on. This will also unlock door to door service.
Can I change my destination once I’m on board?
Once you start a ride, the destination cannot be changed. If you have not yet boarded the vehicle, you can cancel the ride and re-book with a new destination.
Can I set a favorite location in the app?
Yes. Tap the Favorites tab in the app menu, then tap Set Home Address, Set Work Address, or create and name a new favorite.
What are the points of interest in the app?
These are locations we believe will be popular origins and destinations for rides. Select them to easily choose where you need to go to or from!
Can I leave feedback for my driver?
Feel free to fill out the feedback screen in the app after your ride.
Do I tip the driver?
No. Our drivers do not accept tips.
How do I reset my password?
Open the app and select “Get Started.” In the password box, select “Forgot your password?” and follow the prompts.
I left something in the vehicle — how do I retrieve it?
Please contact us with a description of the missing item using our support portal: https://mycouncil.milton-keynes.gov.uk/service/Passenger_Transport_Contact_Us
How do I report a complaint?
Please contact us at https://mycouncil.milton-keynes.gov.uk/service/Passenger_Transport_Contact_Us or by calling our support line at 01908 252526 to report a complaint. Be sure to include as much information as possible and we’ll do our best to help.
Eating/drinking policy
We know that you are on the go, but please help us keep our vehicles clean and fresh and avoid bringing food and drink in our cars, when possible. Please also be mindful that smelly food can be distracting and unpleasant for your fellow passengers. All drinks should have lids and drinking alcohol or carrying open containers of alcohol in our vehicles is not allowed.
Can service animals or pets ride with me?
Service animals must always be welcome to ride without restriction. Driver Partners have a legal obligation to provide service to riders with service animals. If you are a rider traveling with a service animal and wish to report any issue you experience related to your service animal, please contact Via support.
Riders traveling with pets that are not service animals should keep their pets in an airline-approved carrier to use the service.
Phone call policy
Please remember your fellow passengers might not be interested in your phone conversations. We ask that you limit phone calls to quick logistics and emergencies during shared rides.
Luggage policy
Our service vehicles are a shared space, and as such we ask everyone to limit any personal items to a single piece of luggage or a reasonably-sized bag.
Age policy
Riders must be 14 years of age or older. Children under the age of 14 can ride when accompanied by a parent or guardian. We will not supply car seats, but riders traveling with children who require them may bring their own. Riders are responsible for securing any such car seat and for ensuring that it fits all legal requirements.
