Serving communities across Central Texas, The HOP, operated by the Hill Country Transit District, connects riders across a large and diverse service area that includes urban, rural, and regional trips. Its network spans multiple types of service, from fixed route and commuter transportation to on demand microtransit and rural service.

Managing that mix has made connecting the different parts of the network an important priority.

When The HOP first partnered with Spare more than two years ago, the vision went beyond any single mode of transportation. The goal was to eventually bring its services together on one platform, giving dispatchers a more connected way to manage operations and riders a simpler way to navigate the network.

In August 2026, The HOP took a major step toward that vision by launching its Urban Regional Commuter fixed route service on Spare.

For the first time, the agency can manage fixed route alongside its on demand microtransit, rural on demand service, and integrated TNC services within Spare.

“From the get-go when we signed on with Spare two and a half years ago, our intent was always to have one platform for all modes of delivery services.” - Derek Czapnik, Director of Operations, The HOP

Moving toward one connected network

Before the launch, The HOP managed its commuter service using a different software provider while operating other services through Spare.

For dispatchers, that meant monitoring separate platforms that didn't communicate as one service. When a commuter bus was delayed, staff could see what was happening, but coordinating that information with a rider's connecting on demand trip could require manual work.

The experience was fragmented for riders too. They couldn't see the location of their commuter bus through the same experience they used for other services. Bringing fixed route onto Spare has started to change that.

The HOP now operates its Urban Regional Commuter route on Spare. Instead of treating fixed route and on demand as separate pieces of the network, The HOP is building toward an experience where they work together.

A simple transition for drivers

The launch also introduced Spare to a new group of operators.

The HOP's fixed route drivers hadn't previously used Spare, but Derek says the transition required little more than a quick overview for drivers and dispatch staff.

“As far as the use of the driver, the operator, very positive feedback. It’s much easier to navigate.” - Derek Czapnik, Director of Operations, The HOP

Drivers found assignments and duties easier to identify, helping the team transition to the new platform without significant disruption and with no significant issues for drivers during the transition.

Giving riders visibility they didn't have before

One of the biggest early changes has been more visible to riders.

Before the move to Spare, riders couldn't see where their commuter bus was. Now, they can track it and see when service is delayed. 

That matters particularly when a fixed route trip is only one part of a rider's journey. If a commuter bus is running behind, riders have more information to decide whether they need to adjust a connecting trip rather than waiting without knowing when their bus will arrive.

The HOP has already noticed a difference.

“We’ve noticed an increase in satisfaction and fewer complaints just pretty much from the get-go.”  - Derek Czapnik, Director of Operations, The HOP

For the operations team, bringing the services together has also reduced the need to move between separate platforms to understand what's happening across the network.

More than 3,300 trips in the first weeks

In the couple of weeks of operation following the August 2026 launch, The HOP recorded:

• 3,369 rider trips
• 540 scheduled trips
• 52,461 passenger miles traveled
• 18,089 revenue miles
• 14 wheelchair boardings

The service also recorded approximately 664 vehicle revenue hours during that same operating window.

Building toward fully connected trips

The launch isn't the end of The HOP's multimodal vision. It's the foundation for what comes next.

The agency wants riders to be able to plan a journey that might begin with microtransit, connect to a commuter or fixed route service, and finish with another on demand trip, all as one connected experience. The HOP is also working with Spare on additional fixed route capabilities based on what its team has learned since launch.

“We’re very happy. We’ve developed a really good relationship with the team on the Spare side, and they’ve been wonderful to work with.” - Derek Czapnik, Director of Operations, The HOP

One month in, the launch is already giving drivers a simpler experience, riders more visibility into their trips, and The HOP a foundation for bringing more of its network together. For an agency that set out to build toward one platform from the beginning, that's an important step forward.