VANCOUVER, Canada – Spare, a global leader in AI-driven transit operations software, today announced the launch of Spare Live Traffic, an integration with Google Maps Platform for its Spare Engine. This feature is already live in several cities and is showing early impact. It will be available for rollout to Spare customers in the coming weeks, bringing improved transit reliability by tackling unpredictable road conditions head-on.

This integration uses Google Maps Platform live traffic-aware routing, a significant advancement over static manifests or historical predictions. It provides transit operations with instant awareness of congestion, accidents, and road closures. This dynamic intelligence is particularly vital for paratransit services, equipping drivers with the precise, up-to-the-minute information needed to ensure a smoother, more predictable journey for riders who depend on these essential services.

"This is a significant leap forward for both riders and drivers," said Kristoffer Vik Hansen, CEO of Spare. "Our integration with Google Maps Platform brings live traffic-aware navigation directly to drivers, enabling better on-time performance and empowering agencies to deliver the kind of reliability that passengers expect. It's about transforming the everyday experience of getting from A to B for millions of people."

The advanced capability of Spare Live Traffic is already delivering tangible benefits. Early data from transit agencies using the integration shows a notable reduction of up to 20% in late trips. This directly contributes to improved on-time performance and greater operational productivity - key metrics for cities focused on efficiency and meeting rider expectations.

"Reliability is paramount for our riders, and this real-time traffic integration is a critical technological step forward for CapMetro," said Tanya Acevedo, CIO, CapMetro in Austin, Texas. "By leveraging accurate traffic data, we can empower our operations team to make smarter, data-driven decisions, ultimately leading to a more consistent and predictable service for our community."

"Our operators are excited about the seamless integration of Google Maps into our Spare platform, particularly appreciating the audio navigation features that enhance the overall experience!" said Susi Trinandad, ADA Paratransit Administrator at RTC of Washoe in Reno, Nevada.

The Technology Behind the Transformation

Spare’s AI-driven engine has long provided advanced traffic modeling to help agencies predict patterns and optimize routes.

Now, Spare enhances this foundation by integrating Google Maps Platforms’ map routing.  This advanced integration, currently in beta for North American customers via the Driver App, empowers drivers with immediate insights to dynamically adjust to evolving road conditions. This adds a new layer of agility and precision beyond existing traffic modeling, ensuring trips are optimized for efficiency and punctuality. 

With live traffic, Spare delivers:

• Dynamic, Real-Time Route Adjustments: Spare's AI-driven engine incorporates live route optimization for scheduling and routing, proactively avoiding congestion and delays. 
• Familiar Google Maps Navigation: Drivers benefit from the intuitive Google Maps interface for turn-by-turn navigation directly within the Spare Driver App.

This holistic approach ensures drivers are on the most efficient path, leading to fewer delays, smarter manifests, and a significantly improved transit experience for riders. 

About Spare

Spare is driving public transit innovation by optimizing paratransit, microtransit, and demand-responsive services across 200+ cities, including major metros like Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Dallas. With over 24 million rides completed globally, Spare's AI-powered platform enhances rider mobility with real-time traffic optimization, cutting average trip times, reducing vehicle hours, and improving on-time performance.

Focused on increasing access and efficiency, Spare partners with top transit authorities like MBTA (Boston), King County Metro (Seattle), CapMetro (Austin), and TriMet (Portland). Spare delivers seamless, reliable, and cost-effective transit that redefines how cities move.

For more information about the partnership and new services, visit spare.com.