Press Release: Spare, AC Transit, and BART Announce Partnership to Modernize Paratransit Services

Oakland, CA, April 26, 2024 — In a significant move to enhance public transportation for individuals with disabilities, Spare has announced a new partnership with Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). This collaboration aims to modernize paratransit services across the Bay Area, integrating Spare's fully automated transit platform to replace the outdated and manual system.

"AC Transit and BART have a proud history of jointly providing Americans with Disability Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services for the past 30 years. Over the decades, however, innovations like GPS, vehicle capacity, traffic sensors, and more have revolutionized the on-time performance and frequency of public transit but have not blazed the same trail in paratransit,” said Michael Hursh, CEO & General Manager of AC Transit, speaking on behalf of both AC Transit and BART.

"As a result, the policymaking boards of each Bay Area transit agency have awarded Spare a $4.5 million contract to overhaul the nearly 25-year-old East Bay Paratransit (EBP) system’s operating platform. Spare's turnkey implementation will soon offer EBP the modernity of dynamic vehicle optimization, self-service trip booking and cancellations, all-new call center features, and a contactless paratransit fare payment application, to name a few," added Hursh.

Spare's track record of cost control, reliable product, and its people will do much more than upgrade East Bay Paratransit's operating platform. Instead, it promises to elevate the commute to medical facilities, schools, workplaces, and social engagements for some of the Bay Area’s most deserving riders.

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With Spare’s innovative software as a foundation, EBP also has the opportunity to commingle their paratransit with future microtransit services and leverage the combined fleets to offer extensive flexibility to riders and achieve even greater cost efficiency.

"Building on AC Transit and BART's longstanding commitment to providing ADA-paratransit services, Spare is excited to contribute to the next era of enhanced transit solutions in the Bay Area," said Spare CEO Kristoffer Vik Hansen. "We're poised to support AC Transit and BART in making significant improvements in accessibility and support for paratransit riders, ensuring their journeys are efficient, positive, and empowering."

For more information, contact Lynda Chau at [email protected].