Impact at spare

Our riders

WHAT'S IN THIS SECTION
01
Diversity is our strength
02
We care about accessibility
03
A great outcome, whatever the income
04
We’ve got all trips covered
05
Reshaping how people travel

Overview

Spare conducts travel surveys twice a year to learn who uses our services and why. Since 2020, we’ve gathered insights from over 12,000 riders, proving every stop is a start.

The insights we generate from this data come back to benefit the riders themselves, through improved service design that is tailored to their specific needs. Reshaping how people travel

Diversity is our strength

Riders of all types rely on Spare-powered services to get around. We’re incredibly proud to enable services that often cater specifically to underserved communities – whether that be on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, disability or income.

59% of our riders identify as women

This is in line with typical ridership on public transit. On average, women outnumber men 2:1 on public transit worldwide.1

37% of our riders identify as people of color

In North America, people of color often rely more on public transit because they have less access to cars.2 Spare-powered services help break down barriers and create opportunities for these historically underserved communities.

Older adults are our largest rider group

More riders aged 65+ are using Spare-powered services as we help to modernize paratransit. This trend is growing, and we’re excited to bring better, more reliable transportation to older adults everywhere.

37% of our riders have a disability

This is higher than the US average of 27%.3 People with disabilities are nearly 50% less likely to use local transit, but Spare-powered services provide a more inclusive and accessible option for this underserved group.

We care about accessibility

Making travel easier for riders with disabilities

Spare’s services help riders take trips they couldn’t before. Nearly half (46%) of low-income riders with disabilities said their DRT service enabled them to travel when they otherwise couldn’t—compared to 24% of riders without disabilities.

In transportation planning, the term “induced demand” has negative connotations relating to building highways that only worsen traffic congestion.4 But when it comes to public transit, induced trips tell a different story. For marginalized communities, these trips can improve mental and physical health, offer more recreation, and create better job opportunities.

All accessibility needs are welcome aboard

Spare Platform makes it easy for riders with accessibility needs—like wheelchair users, those requiring assisted boarding, or those traveling with an adult—to book rides through our transit agency partners.
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1.6 million accessible boardings have been completed on Spare, with more paratransit services joining us in the past year. Today, 1 in 8 trips on our platform meets an accessibility need.

Creating opportunities for vulnerable people

Our software helps transit agencies improve transportation access for people who need it most. 

So far, Spare has enabled 5.3 million trips for vulnerable riders—more than the population of New York City! These are trips that wouldn’t have happened without us, unlocking social and economic opportunities for people who often struggle to get where they need to go.

A great outcome, whatever the income

The majority of our riders are on low incomes

In North America, Spare-powered services are used more by low-income households than by middle- or high-income ones. On-demand transit provides crucial support for those who need it most.

Your income shapes your transportation options

Without on-demand transit, how riders travel depends heavily on their income. Low-income riders often walk, take the bus, or carpool, while high-income riders rely on private cars or taxis.

Spare’s services make a difference for both groups: they create more opportunities for low-income riders by providing convenient, reliable transit. At the same time, they help wealthier riders switch from cars, reducing traffic, emissions, and noise pollution.

Making trip fares… fairer

Transportation should be affordable for the people who need it most. That’s why we track the cost of taking two trips per day and compare it to local incomes in the cities we serve.

Since 2021, our services have become much more affordable, averaging just 2% of household income. For context, the average US household spends 16% on transportation, while low-income households spend 30% or more.6

We’ve got all trips covered

Spare-powered services help riders access jobs, healthcare, education and leisure, making the most of how they travel and improving their quality of life.

Reshaping how people travel

1 in 3 trips are new

33% of Spare-powered trips wouldn’t happen without our services due to limited transportation options—a phenomenon called 'inducing a trip.' These trips improve riders’ mental and physical health, boost recreation, and expand job opportunities.

Giving riders a reason to switch

The most common reason riders switch to demand-response transit is because it fits their needs better. But many also switch because it’s more convenient, affordable, safe, and reliable.

Replacing private vehicles

Over half (52%) of Spare-powered trips replace private vehicles like taxis, ride-hailing, or personal cars. By shifting away from inefficient and polluting vehicles, Spare is reducing congestion and emissions.

Replacing unsafe walking trips

Some riders switch from walking or cycling, especially at night, because it feels safer. 24% of riders who stop walking or cycling cite safety as their reason, compared to just 14% of riders switching from other modes.