Spare, a leading transit technology company specializing in accessible mobility systems, today announced a new partnership with TransLink to modernize HandyDART, Metro Vancouver’s door-to-door accessible transit service. HandyDART provides more than 1.2 million trips annually to residents who are unable to independently use conventional transit.
Through the partnership, TransLink will replace decades-old legacy systems with Spare’s modern, rider-centric platform, designed to manage the complexity of paratransit operations at metropolitan scale. Once fully implemented, HandyDART riders will be able to book trips online, track vehicles in real time, receive digital service updates, and manage their transportation more independently—reducing reliance on phone-based reservations.
For TransLink, the new system delivers real-time operational visibility across the HandyDART network, enabling proactive service management, dynamic route optimization, and improved performance oversight across the region.
By partnering with Spare, we will bring HandyDART into the digital age by giving customers access to online bookings, real-time vehicle locations, and smartphone updates,” said Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink. “HandyDART is more than a service—it’s a lifeline for thousands of people across Metro Vancouver, and we are committed to strengthening the service for riders through our Customer-First Plan.”
Putting control, visibility, and reliability in riders’ hands
HandyDART supports thousands of Metro Vancouver residents by connecting them to healthcare, work, education, errands, and social opportunities. By introducing digital self-service tools alongside enhanced operational intelligence, TransLink aims to reduce uncertainty for riders while easing pressure on call centers and frontline staff.
Riders will gain access to 24/7 online trip booking, real-time “Where’s My Ride” vehicle tracking, and clearer communication about service updates. Caregivers and families will benefit from greater transparency and confidence around trip timing and reliability.
Behind the scenes, Spare’s platform provides TransLink with comprehensive dashboards to monitor service quality, manage contracts, and identify potential issues before they impact riders—shifting operations from reactive problem-solving to proactive service management.
A scalable platform built for metropolitan paratransit
Spare’s integrated platform replaces fragmented legacy systems with a single solution supporting the full lifecycle of paratransit service delivery, from rider registration and booking to dispatch, routing, and performance reporting.
Key capabilities include:
- 24/7 online booking and trip management
- Real-time vehicle tracking to improve safety and reduce uncertainty
- Dynamic scheduling and route optimization based on real-time conditions
- Operational dashboards for performance monitoring and contract oversight
- Digital eligibility and registration workflows to streamline administration
Together, these capabilities will help TransLink improve on-time performance while creating a scalable foundation for future service expansion.
“Every HandyDART trip represents someone’s independence,” said Kristoffer Vik Hansen, CEO and co-founder of Spare. “Many of us at Spare have family members, friends, and neighbours who rely on these services here in Metro Vancouver. With digital tools that let riders book trips independently and know when their vehicle is arriving, people gain greater confidence getting to work, medical appointments, and the places that matter in their daily lives. At the same time, our technology gives TransLink the real-time insight needed to manage service proactively and reliably at scale.”
As an innovator in accessible and multimodal mobility, TransLink is combining traditional door-to-door service with transit integration and on-demand elements to modernize paratransit while balancing rider expectations, operational complexity, and cost discipline. This approach provides a compelling blueprint for other major metropolitan transit agencies across Canada and the United States seeking to enhance accessibility without compromising service quality.
About Spare
Vancouver-based Spare is the modern operations platform that helps government agencies deliver more reliable, efficient and community-focused mobility. Founded in British Columbia, Spare has deep roots in the province, with founders and team members who live and work in the communities they serve. That local perspective shapes how the company partners with agencies to improve access, reliability and rider experience across Canada. Spare integrates transit operations with advanced asset management and maintenance tools to give agencies real-time visibility and proactive decision support with the flexibility to adapt services on the fly and manage costs in an economically sustainable way. By consolidating back-end operations into a single system, Spare helps agencies deliver safer fleets, lower costs, improve on-time performance and meet rising expectations for digital self-service while supporting staff with tools that reduce manual work. With major use cases across provinces, Spare supports accessible and innovative transit for Canadians from coast to coast. Spare works with transit agencies including Brampton Transit, Hamilton Street Railway (City of Hamilton), Medicine Hat Transit, Oakville Transit, Saint John Transit Commission, Saskatoon Transit, Winnipeg Transit and Milton Transit. Agencies rely on Spare to scale proven service models, including coordinated multimodal operations and sustainable same-day paratransit, strengthening mobility as a public service that connects people to work, healthcare and daily life.