BC Transit Taps Local Tech to Overhaul handyDART Services Province-Wide

VANCOUVER, BC – January 07, 2026 – Thousands of handyDART users across British Columbia are on the cusp of a major service transformation, as provincial Crown agency BC Transit has partnered with Vancouver-based Spare to modernize accessible transportation. The collaboration will roll out the first-ever unified digital platform for handyDART services across 29 communities, replacing decades-old booking methods with a modern, app-based system designed to enhance reliability and user independence.

For individuals who rely on handyDART, the custom transit service for people with disabilities, this change marks a significant shift away from the traditional phone-in reservation model. Upon full implementation, riders will be able to book, manage, and track their trips in real-time through a dedicated mobile app and web portal, bringing a new level of autonomy and predictability to a vital public service.

Beyond the Phone Call: A New Era for Accessibility

The move to a digital-first platform directly addresses long-standing challenges that have impacted handyDART users for years. Advocacy groups like the HandyDART Riders' Alliance have consistently highlighted systemic issues, from long wait times on reservation phone lines to service unreliability and a lack of real-time communication that can leave riders feeling stranded or anxious. The existing fragmented system often meant a rider's experience could vary dramatically from one community to the next.

The new system, powered by Spare's technology, is engineered to dismantle these barriers. By providing a self-serve digital portal, it aims to eliminate booking bottlenecks and empower users with direct control over their travel plans. Key features will include automated push notifications and in-app messages, providing riders with up-to-the-minute information on vehicle arrival times and potential delays—a stark contrast to the previous uncertainty.

This technological leap is about more than just convenience; it's a fundamental step toward greater equity. For many users, the ability to spontaneously book a trip without navigating a call center or to know precisely when their ride will arrive represents a profound increase in independence. It enables more flexible participation in community life, from attending medical appointments to social gatherings, without the rigid, pre-planned scheduling that the old system often demanded.

“Standardizing an entire province’s accessible transit network is a major milestone,” said Kristoffer Vik Hansen, CEO and Co-founder of Spare, in a statement announcing the partnership. “We’re proud to support BC Transit in improving mobility for the people who depend on these services the most... This project shows how thoughtful innovation can make public transit more equitable for everyone.”

A Blueprint for Modern, Data-Driven Transit

Beneath the user-facing improvements lies a powerful operational overhaul for BC Transit. The partnership provides the agency with a single, unified interface to coordinate, monitor, and manage services across the 28 distinct transit systems that offer handyDART. This centralized dashboard is the core of the project's ambition to create a provincial blueprint for modern paratransit.

By consolidating operations, BC Transit will gain the ability to compare service metrics across different regions, identify inefficiencies, and optimize routes and schedules with a level of precision that was previously impossible. Spare's platform is designed to provide robust data analytics, helping the agency forecast rider demand, plan for future service expansions, and advocate for funding with concrete evidence. This aligns directly with BC Transit's strategic goals of making data-informed decisions to enhance efficiency and service quality.

Dispatchers and operators will also be equipped with improved tools, including on-board trip mapping and real-time communication channels, which are expected to increase the number of rides that can be provided. The platform also includes advanced asset management modules designed to predict maintenance needs, boosting fleet reliability and reducing downtime. This proactive approach to operations is critical for ensuring the system remains dependable for the more than 20,000 customers it serves.

This province-wide unification positions Spare, a company with deep roots in British Columbia, as a national leader in the competitive transit technology space. While other firms like Via Transportation and Transdev operate in the sector, this comprehensive, province-wide standardization project provides a compelling case study for other large-scale government agencies seeking to modernize fragmented services across wide and diverse geographies.

Homegrown Innovation Tackles a Provincial Challenge

The decision to partner with a Vancouver-based company underscores a commitment to leveraging local innovation to solve local problems. Founded in British Columbia, Spare's team includes employees who live in the very communities served by BC Transit, giving them firsthand insight into the unique geographical and logistical challenges of the province. This local perspective is a valuable asset in designing a system that is both technologically advanced and deeply user-centric.

This project is supported by the complex public funding model that underpins BC Transit, which relies on a combination of provincial grants, contributions from local governments, and passenger fares. Major technology upgrades like this one are often enabled by long-term federal and provincial capital funding programs aimed at modernizing public infrastructure. For example, recent multi-level government investments in new facilities like the Victoria handyDART Centre demonstrate the ongoing commitment to improving accessible transit infrastructure.

By awarding the contract to a local firm, public funds are reinvested into the B.C. tech ecosystem, helping to foster regional economic growth and sustain high-skilled jobs. The success of this project not only promises to improve a critical public service but also enhances the province's reputation as a hub for transit innovation. As the new system rolls out, it will serve as a powerful example of how public-private collaboration can deliver tangible benefits, improving daily life for residents while strengthening the local economy.