How 20 million microtransit and paratransit rides are transforming public transit

A milestone that moves transit forward

20 million rides. That’s 20 million commutes, doctor’s visits, family trips—20 million times someone moved freely without worrying whether a ride would show up.

Spare’s AI-driven technology is helping transit agencies modernize, making microtransit and paratransit more efficient, accessible, and flexible. And 20 million rides prove that it’s working.

Now, this movement has been recognized—Spare has received a Fast Company Innovation Award for helping agencies transform mobility.

But this milestone isn’t just about Spare. It’s about the agencies, operators, and communities redefining transit. And it’s about what comes next.
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20 million rides: More than a number

20 million rides don’t happen by accident. They happen because transit agencies are embracing new, more efficient ways to move people. 

Here’s what these rides have made possible:

• 5.3 million trips for vulnerable riders, including seniors and people with disabilities
• 3M trips completed using Open Fleets (third-party partners like Uber, Lyft, and taxis)
• 45% reduction in microtransit costs for agencies using Spare’s optimization tools
• 5,500 tonnes of CO₂e emissions avoided, equivalent to taking 1,300 cars off the road
• 15% faster travel times—thanks to AI-powered route optimization

These numbers tell a bigger story: agencies using Spare-powered solutions have cut paratransit costs by 30%, making service more affordable and accessible.

More people—especially seniors and riders with disabilities—can get where they need to go, without worrying about cost or availability.

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Why the Fast Company Innovation Award matters

This award is a win for Spare and the agencies proving transit innovation is real and scalable.

Modernizing public transit takes more than new ideas; it takes agencies willing to rethink traditional service models and embrace new ways of moving people. This recognition from Fast Company is about what’s possible when agencies embrace technology that prioritizes efficiency, equity, and sustainability. 

For transit leaders, this award is proof that AI-driven optimization isn’t just a concept—it’s delivering real savings, real service improvements, and real results.

How are agencies making it happen?

Instead of running underutilized vehicles on fixed schedules, they’ve shifted to dynamic scheduling—making sure vehicles are used efficiently, dispatchers aren’t overloaded, and riders get reliable, affordable service.

The future of transit: What’s next?

20 million rides in, and transit agencies are not slowing down. 

The next challenge? Scaling these innovations so more cities, more riders, and more communities benefit from smarter, more flexible transit. 

As agencies continue embracing AI-powered efficiency, multimodal services, and new demand-responsive models, the future of transit isn’t just being imagined—it’s being built, ride by ride.

Agencies leading the way are:

• Using automation to improve scheduling and operations
• Expanding flexible transit models to serve more riders efficiently
• Optimizing resources to reduce costs while maintaining high-quality service

And, for transit leaders, the question isn’t if service models will evolve—it’s how fast they’ll adapt.

Every stop is a start 

This milestone—20 million rides and a Fast Company Innovation Award—isn’t the finish line. It’s a launchpad for the next phase of transit innovation.

Want to see how agencies are cutting costs while improving service?

Read Spare’s Impact Report to explore the data, insights, and real-world strategies shaping the future of transit.

Because the future of transit isn’t on the horizon—it’s happening now.