New Scheduling Software Coming for St. Louis Area Paratransit Customers
Metro Transit, which serves the St. Louis region, is working with Spare to introduce new software this winter that will make life easier for its Metro Call-A-Ride customers in Missouri. Metro has made numerous improvements to its ADA paratransit services over the last year and a half to provide more reliable trips in the City of St. Louis and in St. Louis County. At Spare, we’re honored to be a part of this important journey, working alongside Metro Transit to ensure every customer feels cared for and confident in their transportation choice.
As Charles Stewart Jr., Chief Operating Officer at Metro Transit, shares: "Our focus is on making public transit easier and more reliable for the people who count on us. These improvements focus on giving our Metro Call-A-Ride customers more control over their day and making sure their paratransit experience is smooth and more reliable."
For customers who rely on paratransit services, transportation is key to their independence -- having the freedom to live life on their own terms. With the Spare upgrades coming to Metro Call-A-Ride, customers will have more options and control over how they manage their transit trips. Whether they prefer to call in, use an app, or go online, they’ll be able to book, pay for, and track their trips in the best way for them. Customers using the app will also get alerts when their Metro Call-A-Ride van is nearby, so they won’t have to waste time waiting or wondering when their ride will show up. These small changes can make a huge difference in a customer’s day.
Spare Platform optimizes how trips are scheduled and routed, ensuring that each ride is assigned to the right Metro Call-A-Ride vehicle to follow the most efficient route. This creates a more dependable service for customers, reducing delays and making transportation more reliable. This means Metro Call-A-Ride customers can count on their ride to arrive as expected, allowing them to plan their appointments and their day with greater confidence.
We’re also working to make the process of applying for ADA paratransit services simpler. The new process will provide a clear application process and allow customers to track the status of their applications in real-time, ensuring they know exactly where they stand. This added transparency means less hassle and more peace of mind for those who rely on the service.
As we work with Metro Transit to roll out this new system, we’re reminded that it’s not just about technology. It’s about showing up for customers, ensuring that everyone in the City of St. Louis and in St. Louis County has access to reliable, timely, and supportive transportation. We’re proud to be part of this effort, helping to make St. Louis City and County more accessible and connected for everyone.
We’ve never had all departments agree that something is working before—until Spare. It’s always been a challenge to get buy-in from everyone, but with this new system, drivers, call takers, and management are all on board. The collaboration with Spare has been amazing, and we’re seeing the results every day.