TransLink Partners with Vancouver-Based Spare to Digitally Transform HandyDART Services Across Metro Vancouver
Spare, a Vancouver-headquartered transit technology company specializing in accessible mobility solutions for public transit agencies, has announced a new partnership with TransLink to modernize HandyDART, Metro Vancouver’s essential door-to-door transit service for riders who are unable to independently use conventional public transportation. The initiative represents a major step forward in upgrading one of the region’s most critical mobility services, which currently delivers more than 1.2 million trips annually to residents across Metro Vancouver.
Through this collaboration, TransLink will transition away from legacy systems that have supported paratransit operations for decades and adopt a modern, integrated digital platform designed specifically to address the operational complexity of paratransit at a metropolitan scale. Once the new system is fully deployed, HandyDART riders will gain access to a range of digital self-service tools that provide greater independence, transparency, and confidence when planning and managing their trips.
Bringing HandyDART Into the Digital Age
At the center of the modernization effort is a shift toward rider-centric technology that enhances both the customer experience and operational efficiency. Under the new system powered by Spare, HandyDART customers will be able to book trips online at any time, track their vehicle in real time, receive digital service notifications, and manage their transportation needs without relying solely on phone-based reservations.
For many riders, this represents a meaningful improvement in accessibility and autonomy. Rather than waiting on hold or navigating limited booking windows, riders will have 24/7 access to trip planning tools that put more control directly in their hands.
From TransLink’s perspective, the new platform introduces real-time visibility across the entire HandyDART network. Dispatchers, planners, and operations teams will be able to monitor service performance as it happens, respond proactively to disruptions, and optimize routes dynamically to better meet rider needs throughout the region.
Leadership Commitment to a Customer-First Vision
TransLink leadership emphasized that the partnership aligns closely with the organization’s broader commitment to improving customer experience across all transit services.
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, Chief Executive Officer 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.
This modernization reflects TransLink’s recognition that accessible transit services must evolve alongside mainstream transportation systems, ensuring equity, reliability, and dignity for riders who depend on them daily.
Empowering Riders With Control, Visibility, and Reliability
HandyDART serves thousands of Metro Vancouver residents who face physical, cognitive, or other challenges that prevent them from using conventional buses and trains independently. For these riders, transportation is not just about convenience—it is a fundamental enabler of participation in everyday life.
By introducing digital self-service tools alongside enhanced operational intelligence, TransLink aims to reduce uncertainty and anxiety for riders while also easing operational pressures on call centers and frontline staff.
Key rider-facing benefits include:
- Online trip booking available 24/7, allowing riders to schedule travel on their own timeline
- Real-time “Where’s My Ride” tracking, improving confidence and reducing waiting stress
- Clear digital service updates, ensuring riders stay informed about changes or delays
Caregivers and family members will also benefit from greater transparency, as they can better anticipate pickup times and service reliability for loved ones who rely on HandyDART to attend medical appointments, work, school, or social engagements.
Operational Intelligence for Proactive Service Management
Beyond rider-facing improvements, the Spare platform delivers significant operational advantages for TransLink. The system provides comprehensive dashboards that offer real-time insight into service performance, contract compliance, and network efficiency.
With these tools, TransLink can:
- Monitor service quality across multiple operators
- Identify potential disruptions before they impact riders
- Optimize routes and schedules based on live conditions
- Transition from reactive issue resolution to proactive service management
This shift is particularly important for a service as complex as HandyDART, which must balance individualized pickup and drop-off needs with efficiency, cost control, and service reliability across a large metropolitan area.
TransLink’s Role in Regional Transportation
TransLink is Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation authority and holds a unique position in North America. It is the first organization on the continent responsible not only for public transit planning, financing, and management, but also for overseeing major regional roads and bridges.
Within this integrated transportation framework, HandyDART plays a vital role. As TransLink’s custom door-to-door transit service, HandyDART connects riders to healthcare, employment, post-secondary education, essential errands, and opportunities to remain socially connected. For many customers, it is the only viable means of independent transportation.
Modernizing HandyDART is therefore a strategic priority—not only to improve service quality today, but to ensure long-term sustainability as demand continues to grow.
How Spare’s Platform Supports Paratransit at Scale
Spare’s technology replaces fragmented, outdated systems with a single, unified platform that supports the entire lifecycle of paratransit service delivery. From rider registration and eligibility management to booking, dispatch, routing, and performance reporting, all functions are integrated into one cohesive system.
Core platform capabilities include:
- Always-on online booking and trip management
- Real-time vehicle tracking to enhance safety and reliability
- Dynamic scheduling and route optimization that adapts to changing conditions
- Operational dashboards for performance monitoring and contract oversight
- Digital registration and eligibility workflows to streamline administration
Together, these features provide TransLink with a scalable foundation that can evolve alongside rider needs, service models, and regional growth.
A Local Partnership With Deep Community Impact
Spare’s leadership highlighted the personal and community significance of the project, noting the company’s deep roots in Metro Vancouver.
Every HandyDART trip represents someone’s independence, and many of us at Spare have family members, friends, and neighbours who rely on these services right here in Metro Vancouver,” said Kristoffer Vik Hansen, CEO and Co-founder of Spare. “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.
He added that behind the rider experience, Spare’s technology is purpose-built to handle the real-world complexity of large-scale paratransit operations, providing transit agencies with the insights needed to manage services reliably and proactively.
A Blueprint for the Future of Accessible Transit
TransLink has long been recognized as an innovator in accessible transportation. By combining traditional door-to-door paratransit with transit integration and on-demand elements, the agency continues to modernize HandyDART while balancing rider expectations, operational complexity, and fiscal responsibility.
The partnership with Spare reflects a forward-looking approach that could serve as a model for other major transit agencies across Canada and the United States. As cities seek to improve accessibility without compromising service quality or cost discipline, digital platforms like Spare’s offer a scalable and proven path forward.
As implementation progresses, the modernized HandyDART system is expected to deliver tangible benefits for riders, caregivers, operators, and transit planners alike. By embracing digital transformation, TransLink is reinforcing its commitment to inclusive mobility and ensuring that accessible transit evolves alongside the broader transportation ecosystem.
Ultimately, the partnership between TransLink and Spare underscores a shared vision: delivering reliable, dignified, and modern mobility solutions that empower people and strengthen communities across Metro Vancouver.
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