AC Transit, BART Tap Spare to Modernize Paratransit Services

Spare announced a new partnership with California’s Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to modernize paratransit services across the Bay Area, integrating Spare's fully automated transit platform to replace the outdated and manual system.

"AC Transit and BART have a proud history of jointly providing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services for the past 30 years,” said Michael Hursh, CEO/GM of AC Transit. “Over the decades, however, innovations like GPS, vehicle capacity, traffic sensors, and more have revolutionized the on-time performance and frequency of public transit but have not blazed the same trail in paratransit.”

Bringing New Paratransit Opportunities to the Bay

AC Transit and BART awarded Spare a $4.5 million contract to overhaul the nearly 25-year-old East Bay Paratransit (EBP) system’s operating platform.

Spare's turnkey implementation will offer EBP the modernity of dynamic vehicle optimization, self-service trip booking and cancellations, all-new call center features, a contactless paratransit fare payment application, and more.

"Spare's track record of cost control, reliable product, and its people will do much more than upgrade East Bay Paratransit's operating platform. Instead, it promises to elevate the commute to medical facilities, schools, workplaces, and social engagements for some of the Bay Area’s most deserving riders," said Hursh.

With Spare’s innovative software as a foundation, EBP also has the opportunity to commingle their paratransit with future microtransit services and leverage the combined fleets to offer extensive flexibility to riders and achieve even greater cost efficiency.

"Building on AC Transit and BART's longstanding commitment to providing ADA complementary paratransit services, Spare is excited to contribute to the next era of enhanced transit solutions," said Spare CEO Kristoffer Vik Hansen. "We're poised to support AC Transit and BART in making significant improvements in accessibility and support for Bay Area paratransit riders, ensuring their journeys are efficient, positive, and empowering."

The news follows the transition to Spare's platform by Austin, Texas' CapMetro in October, which enabled the agency to hit its 92% on-time performance goal mere days after the switch.