Spare has launched Spare Eligibility with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), marking an important milestone in OCTA’s broader effort to modernize paratransit operations.

The transition moved OCTA from a paper-heavy, legacy eligibility process to a secure, cloud-based platform that supports staff, riders, and assessment partners. Most importantly, it launched the way every agency hopes it will: quickly, quietly, and without disruption.
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A calm, confident go-live

From the beginning, OCTA and Spare shared a clear goal: implement a modern eligibility solution without interrupting daily operations. With a focused plan and close coordination across teams, the launch went smoothly from day one.

In the first days after go-live, OCTA staff shared a telling reaction:

“We totally forgot we were launching today—because it was so smooth.”
- OCTA Staff

For a system that directly affects eligibility, compliance, and rider access, that kind of feedback matters. OCTA leaders described the rollout as one of the smoothest launches they’ve experienced, with strong confidence in both the platform and the Spare team supporting it.
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Supporting eligibility at scale

Since launch, Spare Eligibility has been supporting OCTA at real operational volume:

• Around 1,500 eligibility applications received each month
  
• Approximately 120 eligibility appointments scheduled per week
  
• An average of fewer than 7 days for riders to get booked for an eligibility appointment
  
• 1,600 eligibility-related letters generated to date
  

These metrics reflect a system that’s not only working—but working at scale, without creating bottlenecks for staff or riders.
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Why OCTA chose Spare Eligibility

OCTA selected Spare to replace a legacy eligibility system that could no longer keep up with operational needs. They were looking for a solution that was flexible, responsive, and designed for the realities of modern transit agencies; and a partner that could move fast without sacrificing quality.

Spare Eligibility now manages applications for OCTA’s application-based paratransit programs, replacing manual workflows with a centralized digital system that supports:

• Agency staff managing cases and compliance
  
• Riders applying for and tracking eligibility
  
• Medical professionals completing assessments
  

Consolidating appointments in one place with eligibility helps with:

• Manage all eligibility cases in one secure, cloud-based platform
  
• Supporting mail-in, and phone applications
  
• Automate workflows while meeting ADA timelines
  
• Improve transparency for riders throughout the eligibility process
  

For OCTA, the biggest impact was how quickly the platform was implemented, and how naturally it fit into existing day-to-day operations.
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Built on partnership and execution

This launch was made possible through close collaboration between OCTA, Spare, and OCTA’s assessment partner, MTM. Teams worked together to align workflows, timelines, and expectations, ensuring everyone felt prepared heading into go-live.

Despite an aggressive schedule, the implementation stayed on track and received positive feedback across stakeholders. OCTA highlighted the level of support and hands-on collaboration as key factors in making the transition feel straightforward and low-risk.
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What’s next

The eligibility launch is just the beginning for OCTA. Later this year, OCTA and Spare will expand the partnership with the launch of paratransit operations on the Spare platform, building on this momentum and continuing to modernize service delivery across Orange County.