BC Transit rolls out new handyDART booking tech in two B.C. regions

BC Transit and Spare have launched a new digital handyDART system in Chilliwack and Central Fraser Valley, giving riders online booking, trip changes and real-time tracking. The rollout is the first of 28 BC Transit handyDART communities set to move to the platform across British Columbia.

Why it matters: - The launch gives handyDART riders in Chilliwack and Central Fraser Valley more control over bookings without relying on phone calls. - The new system adds real-time trip information, which can help riders plan medical visits, work commutes and family trips with less uncertainty. - The rollout is the first step in a provincewide transition for 28 BC Transit handyDART communities.

What happened: - BC Transit and Spare launched a new technology platform for handyDART service in Chilliwack and the Central Fraser Valley. - The system went live on Sept. 9, 2026. - Riders can now book, change or cancel trips through a mobile app or online booking. - The reservations line remains available for riders who prefer to book by phone.

The details: - The new platform provides real-time trip tracking through the rider app, including vehicle location and estimated arrival times. - The system includes accessible digital tools for riders with mobility, visual and hearing considerations. - New riders can apply online through a digital registration process. - Caregivers and family members can manage bookings on behalf of riders. - BC Transit staff and operators get real-time dispatch visibility, automated scheduling and operational reporting. - The platform is designed to support a consistent service approach across handyDART systems. - Spare worked with BC Transit on platform configuration, implementation planning and launch preparation. - Stakeholder input was incorporated during the rollout process to reflect local service needs in Chilliwack and the Central Fraser Valley. - BC Transit is the provincial Crown agency that coordinates public transportation across British Columbia outside TransLink territory in Metro Vancouver. - More than 1.9 million British Columbians in over 130 communities use BC Transit local and regional transit services. - Spare is a Vancouver-based AI-native operations platform for government transit agencies. - Spare works with BC Transit, TransLink, Hamilton Street Railway, Oakville Transit, Regina Transit, Saint John Transit, Saskatoon Transit and Winnipeg Transit, among others. - More information is available on BC Transit and Spare. - Spare also listed social channels on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The launch signals a shift from traditional call-in paratransit service toward a more digital, self-service model. - BC Transit is pairing new rider-facing tools with back-end dispatch and scheduling features, which could help standardize operations across different communities. - The emphasis on accessibility suggests the rollout is meant to serve riders who need more flexible booking options, not just riders already comfortable with mobile apps.

What's next: - BC Transit plans to move the remaining 27 handyDART communities to the new technology. - The provincewide rollout will extend digital booking and trip tracking to more urban and rural riders as implementation continues. - BC Transit and Spare are expected to keep refining the platform as additional communities come online.

The bottom line: - BC Transit is modernizing handyDART with a digital booking system that aims to make paratransit easier for riders and more efficient for operators across British Columbia.