Spare is enhancing Winnipeg’s public transportation system by launching a new booking and management system for Winnipeg Transit Plus.

The initiative marks a focused effort to incorporate advanced technology into Transit Plus’s operations. This will improve service accessibility, efficiency, and reliability for users, according to Spare.

Winnipeg Transit Plus

The Winnipeg Transit Plus service currently accommodates over 28,000 requested trips a month, serves over 5,100 active registered customers, and operates with a dedicated fleet of approximately 70 vehicles, including sedans, vans, and buses.

Key aspects of the new system include:

• The Winnipeg Transit+ On-Request app: This smartphone and web app will facilitate easy booking, tracking, and management of rides while improving the entire passenger experience.

• An automated phone service with IVR technology: This will provide a phone-based booking option for users without access to the mobile application, ensuring wide accessibility.

• Expanded payment options: New payment methods will accommodate different user preferences and needs.

The expanded payment options and automated phone service will launch in June, and the app will launch in July.

Modernizing System Operations

The partnership's ambitions extend far beyond enhancing booking and payment options. By modernizing system operations, Spare’s technology will enable Transit Plus to streamline its scheduling and dispatching processes.

The leap in operational efficiency is anticipated to significantly improve on-time performance, leading to shorter wait times and a more responsive service overall.

“Our partnership with Winnipeg Transit moves us closer to our shared goal of ensuring riders can reach their destinations conveniently and efficiently,” said Spare CEO Kristoffer Vik Hansen. “Modernizing the Transit Plus trip-booking system will improve the overall rider experience, making every journey smoother and more reliable."

This partnership will extend to the Winnipeg Transit On-Request service later in 2024.