You don’t need one vendor to modernize paratransit

Why Open Mobility gives you more control, more options, and fewer headaches

Paratransit is changing fast. Riders expect quicker trips, better service, and tools that just work — and agencies are doing their best to keep up.

Some vendors will tell you the only way to modernize is to hand everything over to them: one provider, one platform, total control. But that approach often comes with tradeoffs like vendor lock-in, less flexibility, and slower innovation.

There’s a better way. Open Mobility is a flexible model that lets you choose your partners, scale your service, and stay in control — without having to manage it all manually.

Think of it like a smartphone: Spare provides the operating system, and you choose the apps — the providers, features, and tools — that fit your agency’s needs.

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Why vendor lock-in limits paratransit flexibility and innovation

The idea of using one provider to handle every part of your paratransit system can sound appealing — until you need to make a change. Here's what that "unified" approach really looks like:

• Fewer choices: You’re tied to one provider’s tools, processes, and tech roadmap.
• Less flexibility: If demand shifts or new needs emerge, you can’t adapt quickly.
• Risk of disruptions: If the vendor runs into issues, so do you — and your riders.
• Harder to innovate: Integrating new tech (like AI scheduling tools or real-time trip reshuffling) becomes harder or slower.
• No best-of-breed tools: One provider handling everything can mean good enough — not great — across the board.

Agencies end up trading complexity for convenience—and lose long-term control in the process.

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What is Open Mobility? A flexible approach to modern paratransit

Open Mobility is a modular approach to paratransit. It lets agencies connect the tools, vehicles, and partners that make the most sense for them — while still managing everything in one place.

With Spare, Open Mobility means:

• Mixing and matching providers like Transdev, MV Transportation, WeDriveU, or TNCs
• Keeping dedicated fleets prioritized while adding flexible capacity through partners like Uber, Lyft, Uzurv and Silver Ride 
• Meeting rider needs without compromise (e.g., wheelchair users will only be matched to WAV vehicles)
• Staying adaptable as funding, policies, or demand change

You get the benefits of one centralized platform — without the lock-in.

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How Spare’s paratransit software powers flexible service delivery

Spare helps agencies simplify operations while staying flexible. Here's how:

💡 Manage all trips in one place

You don’t need Uber Central or Lyft Concierge. With Spare, everything’s handled in one platform — from dedicated fleets to non-dedicated partners.

⚙️ Customize your service model

Want to prioritize dedicated vehicles? Add non-dedicated capacity only when wait times hit 10 minutes? You set the rules. Riders have the option to “opt in” to non-dedicated trips — they’re never forced into one.

🧑‍🦽 Ensure rider needs are respected

Spare’s matching engine accounts for rider requirements. A wheelchair user will never be accidentally matched to a vehicle that doesn’t meet their needs.

📊 Make data-backed decisions

From daily reports to long-term planning, Spare gives you the insights to fine-tune operations and prove ROI.

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Examples of Open Mobility in action: DART, PSTA, GoDurham

This isn’t just a vision. It’s already working.

DART (Dallas, TX)
DART uses Spare to manage a commingled microtransit and paratransit service. With Transdev operating dedicated vehicles and Uber providing overflow capacity, DART has scaled one of the largest flexible transit networks in North America.

PSTA (Pinellas County, FL)
PSTA coordinates six different providers through Spare — including Transdev, Uzurv, and TNCs — giving riders more choice and reducing strain on any one operator.

GoDurham Access (Durham, NC)
GoDurham combines Spare’s tech with operations from WeDriveU to reduce trip times and deliver smoother, more efficient service.

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Why flexible paratransit platforms are the future of accessible transit

You don’t need to give up control to modernize your service. With Open Mobility, you get the best of both worlds: a centralized platform and a flexible, future-ready transit network.

Want to see how it works? Let’s talk →