OPEN FLEETS

An open ecosystem to strengthen public transit systems

Connect trip demand to any fleet provider with a flexible software infrastructure. Powered by an Open API, our platform enables seamless management, reporting, and unification of external fleets, regardless of the operator.

Ready to give Open Fleets a try?

How Spare helps

Reduce cost-per-trip

Operate your trips with a closer eye on your bottom line. Use dedicated fleets where it makes sense and dispatch other trips to taxis or TNCs in your region, on-demand to reduce costs.

Curb driver shortages

Fortify your services from the nation-wide challenge of driver shortages by supplementing your dedicated fleets with non-dedicated service providers already available in your community.

Stabilize rider wait times

Give riders more consistent wait times, choice, and spontaneity–bringing autonomy back in their lives.

Maximum control and visibility

Get a birds-eye view of your entire operation regardless if you use dedicated vehicles only, third-party operators, or a combination of both. Spare unifies it all for real-time monitoring and reporting needs.

Supercharge your transit network

Combine thoughtful service design, robust ride matching algorithm, and the power of Open Fleets to create first / last mile programs that not only reduce operating costs but customers feel empowered to ride.

Tap into a large network of fleets

90% of all bookable vehicles in North America are available on Spare through Open Fleets to power modern Mobility on Demand programs.

Lower cost-per-trip

As an adjunct to dedicated vehicles, Open Fleets supplements dedicated vehicles, dramatically reducing operating costs.

Dynamically increase fleet capacity

Increased vehicle capacity has allowed transit agencies to see a 200% increase in ridership while reducing costs by 52%.

The only provider proven to work with taxis and TNCs

Your service fulfilled through our open fleets partners

• Your service, your choice

Dispatch the most optimal fleet provider to take each trip based on criteria important to you and your business goals. After all, you know your riders and service best.

• Dynamically increase capacity

Expand service coverage, fill in during peak periods, optimize the usage of WAV vehicles, or offer overflow service to meet same-day demand. The use cases are limitless: Open Fleets was built to be flexible and scalable.

PROOF POINTS

See how Spare Open Fleets has impacted others

DART Drives Growth With Award Winning Microtransit

Collin County Transit cuts per ride costs by 52% with brokered trips

Modernizing Paratransit Services: Enhancing Efficiency and User Experience with Spare in Pinellas County

Partner with Spare

To make every ride possible, we are working with the best transportation innovators in the industry to deliver on-demand transit services leveraging Spare’s mobility operations platform.

Our mission is to serve our community with dependable transit.

But our old asset management system was holding us back—manual processes and scattered information made it hard to keep up with the demands of a growing region. This is more than just new software—it’s a leap forward for how we serve our riders.”

Ted Ross Executive Director, GCTD

A leap forward in user experience for PSTA.

PSTA staff have full visibility into the live status of nearly all of the trips running, which makes it easy to monitor service and address issues as they arise. The app's introduction gives riders more control and independence over their rides by enabling them to easily plan, book, monitor, and pay for trips within the app. It's these kinds of innovations that truly get us excited.

Bonnie Epstein Director of Mobility Services Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

Spare's track record of cost control, reliable product, and its people will do much more than upgrade East Bay Paratransit's operating platform.

Instead, it promises to elevate the commute to medical facilities, schools, workplaces, and social engagements for some of the Bay Area’s most deserving riders.

Michael Hursh CEO and General Manager AC Transit

FAQ

• Can riders be forced to use non-drug and alcohol-tested fleets in microtransit and paratransit services?

No, riders are never forced to use a specific operator. Open Fleets follows all FTA regulations, so riders have full control over their trip choices. With Spare, riders can opt in or out of using Open Fleets, and Fleet Agreements clearly outline what to expect from each provider upfront.

• What if our microtransit service uses branded dedicated vehicles?

That’s great! Spare fully supports branded vehicles, but what really boosts ridership is offering consistent, reliable service. Riders care more about short wait times and great experiences than the look of the vehicle, so focusing on quality is key.

• How do we report to the National Transit Database (NTD) when using Uber or Lyft?

Spare simplifies NTD reporting by consolidating all fleet providers into one platform. You’ll have access to the same detailed data you get from your own vehicles, like trip tracking and operational controls—including the ability to ban drivers when necessary.

• Is there a lack of transparency when another operator transports my riders?

Not at all. Open Fleets ensures full transparency for every trip, no matter who the provider is. With Spare, everything is centralized—reservations, scheduling, dispatch, and reporting. You can even track trips in real time, with some trips sharing a single ID across all fleets for seamless management.

• What if a non-dedicated provider doesn't offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles?

No problem. Spare’s Fleet Limits feature ensures riders with special requirements, like wheelchairs, are only matched with providers offering accessible vehicles (WAVs), so the right ride is always available.

• Can we offer shared rides, not just single taxi or Uber trips?

Absolutely! Spare integrates with UberXShare, making it easy to offer shared (pooled) rides. It’s a great way to meet different rider needs and reduce costs.

• What if too many people use TNC or taxi rides?

You’re in control. With Spare, you can adjust fleet limits—like wait times, trip costs, or pickup deadlines—to keep service balanced. These settings are fully customizable and easy to update whenever needed.

• How does Open Fleets work with fixed routes? I don’t want to replace them.

Open Fleets is designed to work alongside fixed routes, not replace them. For example, DART GoLink in Dallas uses Uber for first/last-mile connections while keeping fixed routes for point-to-point service. It’s all about enhancing your network with flexible, on-demand options.

"Once we unified dedicated vehicles and TNCs on a single platform, the experience changed immediately for riders. They could see their trip in real time, understand their fare, and know what to expect. From a staff perspective, it eliminated confusion and allowed us to focus on service instead of troubleshooting."

Owen Albrecht Paratransit Manager, City of Alexandria