Spare announced the release of Spare Live Traffic, a new integration with Google Maps Platform designed to enhance transit reliability by addressing real-time road disruptions. 

The feature is live in several cities and will be available to more Spare customers in the coming weeks.

The cutting-edge integration directly brings live, traffic-aware routing into the Spare Engine, replacing reliance on static schedules and historical data with real-time awareness of traffic congestion, road closures, and accidents. 

The update marks a significant upgrade for agencies, especially those running paratransit services, by enabling smarter, faster decision-making for route planning and execution.

“This is a significant leap forward for both riders and drivers,” said Spare's CEO Kristoffer Vik Hansen. “Our integration with Google Maps Platform brings live traffic-aware navigation directly to drivers, enabling better on-time performance and empowering agencies to deliver the reliability that passengers expect.”

Proven Results in Early Rollouts

Initial deployments of Spare Live Traffic are already showing measurable success. Spare officials said that Agencies use the new feature to report up to 20% fewer late trips, a crucial improvement in performance for transit systems striving to meet the expectations of riders and regulators alike.

“Reliability is paramount for our riders, and this real-time traffic integration is a critical technological step forward for CapMetro,” said Tanya Acevedo, CIO at CapMetro in Austin, Texas. “By leveraging accurate traffic data, we can empower our operations team to make smarter, data-driven decisions.”

In Reno, Nevada, operators have welcomed the change with enthusiasm.

“Our operators are excited about the seamless integration of Google Maps into our Spare platform, particularly appreciating the audio navigation features that enhance the overall experience,” said Susi Trinandad, ADA paratransit administrator at RTC of Washoe, in Reno, Nev.

Real-Time Routing Powered by AI, Google Maps

Spare has long been at the forefront of AI-driven transit scheduling and optimization. 

With this new integration, Spare enhances its routing intelligence by embedding Google Maps Platform’s real-time navigation into its Driver App, which is currently in beta testing across North America.

Key capabilities of Spare Live Traffic include:

• Dynamic, real-time route adjustments:Spare’s AI engine now incorporates live routing to avoid delays and adapt to changing road conditions on the fly.

• Familiar Google Maps interface: Drivers benefit from intuitive, turn-by-turn guidance within the Spare app, making adoption seamless and straightforward.

The powerful combination ensures drivers stay on the most efficient routes, improves manifest accuracy, and significantly reduces passenger delays, especially those relying on time-sensitive paratransit services.

With Spare Live Traffic, agencies can move beyond reactive scheduling and adopt a proactive, data-informed approach to delivering dependable, rider-friendly service, officials said.