Spare is proud to announce the launch of Capital Area Rural Transportation System’s (CARTS) services on our platform, bringing smarter, more accessible transit options to 10 counties in the Greater Austin region, including the cities of Georgetown and San Marcos.

CARTS will officially launch its new branded rider app, empowering passengers across central Texas to plan, book, and manage their rides with unprecedented ease. From ADA paratransit to rural on-demand mobility, CARTS is redefining what transit looks like for communities of all sizes, with Spare powering the experience from end to end.

About CARTS: Serving Central Texas with versatility

CARTS operates a multifaceted network of services:

• ADA Paratransit Services in Georgetown and San Marcos, supporting riders with disabilities through contracts with Cap Metro and municipal partners.
  
  
• The Country Bus, a demand response service open to the general public across 10 counties in central Texas, provides a crucial lifeline to jobs, healthcare, and daily essentials in rural areas.

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Whether serving ADA-eligible individuals or rural residents, CARTS’ focus is clear: mobility for everyone, everywhere.

“Having the Country Bus on demand… is going to make it easier for rural customers to get to the services, activities, and places they need to go. Transit is going to be easier and more accessible for them!” - Dana Platt, CARTS Community Engagement Director

Why Spare? Unifying operations & enhancing the rider journey

CARTS has transitioned from its legacy software to Spare’s all-in-one platform to streamline operations and elevate the rider experience across its complex service network.

A Unified Platform

Spare integrates planning, dispatching, eligibility, booking, and analytics in a single interface—no more juggling disjointed tools or manual workarounds.

Rider empowerment through technology

With the new rider app and web portal, passengers can:

• Book, modify, and cancel trips independently
  
• Get real-time updates on trip status
  
• Reduce reliance on call centers
  

This is especially transformative for ADA riders who now gain full visibility and greater autonomy over their mobility.

Digitized ADA eligibility

Spare Eligibility fully digitizes the ADA application and assessment process, including appointment scheduling, approvals, appeals, and renewals, ensuring CARTS meets regulatory requirements while simplifying the rider journey.

Smart operations & analytics

The Spare Platform continuously optimizes trips based on demand patterns, rider needs, vehicle availability, and service parameters. The CARTS team are empowered to manage daily operations through Spare Operations, with tools that help them monitor and adjust service as needed throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Spare Analytics supports NTD-compliant reporting, service optimization, and custom dashboards, helping CARTS stay data-driven and future-ready.

Empowered drivers

The Spare Driver App equips operators with trip manifests, turn-by-turn navigation, and real-time updates, ensuring ease of coordination and exceptional service delivery across even the most complex shift schedules.

A new chapter for rural mobility

CARTS passengers can experience the future of rural transit through the CARTS-branded rider app, available for download on iOS and Android.

Trips can still be booked by phone for those who prefer it, but riders now have more flexibility than ever.

Visit RideCARTS.com to learn more and download the app.

The Road Ahead

Spare is thrilled to support CARTS in its mission to deliver equitable, accessible, and responsive mobility across central Texas. Together, we're setting a new standard for how rural and small urban transit can—and should—operate.

Welcome to the future of transit in Texas. Welcome to CARTS powered by Spare.

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Want to explore what’s possible with on-demand transit? Visit spare.com.

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