Transit agencies everywhere are trying to figure out modern mobility. LA Metro is redefining what it means to scale on-demand transit. In a recent webinar, leaders from one of the United States of America’s largest transportation agencies joined Spare to talk about a major shift in strategy: moving from microtransit as a standalone experiment to a  fully integrated system that serves every rider.

The conversation wasn't just about fleet size or software features. It was about bridging the gap between rigid fixed routes and the flexible, human-centric service that communities expect.
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Resilience in the face of crisis 

For Jimmy Famolare, Senior Manager of Transportation Planning at LA Metro, the value of a flexible transit network isn't theoretical. It’s a lifeline. During the  wildfires in Pasadena and Sierra Madre, emergency road closures shut down traditional fixed-route buses.

"We modified our zone boundaries and adjusted and added stops on a daily basis, all while the fixed routes in those areas were not able to operate," Jimmy Famolare says. "We transported residents whose vehicles and homes were destroyed. We provided those critical connections and access in an immense time of loss."

That experience drives home what the LA Metro team already knows: agility in transit isn't just a nice-to-have in crisis moments. It’s the difference between isolation and access.
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Moving from silo to ecosystem 

The webinar addressed a common challenge: the headlines that follow launch where agencies face high costs per trip and questions about service sustainability. Kelly McGillis, Customer Enablement Lead at Spare, noted that these challenges often stem from viewing microtransit through the wrong lens.

"To really unlock its value, we need to think about microtransit differently," Kelly explains. "Not as a standalone service for a small group of riders, but as part of an integrated ecosystem where riders actually know the service exists and understand when it's the best option for them."

For Dan Nguyen, Senior Executive Officer for Transit Operations at LA Metro, this meant making sure microtransit complements rather than cannibalizes high-volume bus or rail lines. The goal is to fill the gaps and provide first-and-last-mile connections that strengthen the entire network.
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The rider experience reimagined 

Raj Curry, a Senior Manager of Transportation Planning at LA Metro, knows the friction of disjointed transit personally. When a network redesign cut his usual bus route, he started relying on Metro Micro. Previously, navigating between modes of transit meant juggling different schedules and apps. Now, integrated tools utilizing GTFS and GTFS Flex data make planning seamless.

"Our previous software provider did not have that multimodal option to book a ride from point A to point B through one software," Raj notes. "But now I can do that with one click."

That seamlessness is key to LA Metro’s vision. By treating microtransit as a piece of a larger puzzle, they’re building a system where the best trip option is always available, whether that’s a bus, a train, or an on-demand ride.

This all works because the Spare platform brings paratransit, microtransit, and fixed-route together in one trip planner. Riders see all their options side by side.

During the webinar, Nick Milum, a Senior Product Manager at Spare, walked through how situations like the one Raj experienced are avoidable with a single multimodal trip planning tool like Spare One.

Instead of splitting systems apart, Spare connects them. Agencies get more from every resource, while riders get more control over how they travel. At Metro micro, this shift means 89% of trips are now booked directly through the rider app. This has reduced call volume for dispatchers and supported OTP that consistently hits 96%

Nick also explained how the product works behind the scenes, and how Spare uses the same open data standards that power fixed-route trip planners. Check it out below:

Looking ahead 

The team’s focus remains on operational excellence and using data to adapt to the "human" element of transit—from managing driver break times to dynamically adjusting supply in peak zones like LAX.

The lesson from LA Metro is clear: scaling isn't just about growing bigger. It's about growing smarter. It’s about creating a transit network that is resilient, efficient, and, above all, deeply connected to the needs of the community it serves.