Guest Mode: Browse Transit Without an Account

Loginless mode allows riders to explore transit information and get trip estimates in the Rider app without needing to create an account or verify their phone number first.
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Agencies can enable this feature to lower the barrier to entry for new and occasional riders, while still guiding users toward sign-in at the moments where it matters most.
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​Requirements: Rider app version 4.4 or higher

Previously, riders were required to complete phone number verification before accessing any part of the Rider app — including basic information like bus schedules or nearby transit options. This created unnecessary friction for anyone who just wanted to quickly check their options.
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With loginless mode enabled, riders can:

Riders are prompted to sign in at four key points:

This means casual riders can quickly check if transit is available in their area, without committing to creating an account upfront.
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Reduced drop-off from new riders. Requiring sign-up before showing any transit information is a significant barrier — many potential riders simply open Google Maps or a competitor app instead. Loginless mode lets your agency make a strong first impression by immediately showing riders what's available.

​A more competitive rider experience. Apps like Google Maps, Transit App, and Citymapper all allow browsing without an account. Loginless mode brings your Rider app in line with this expectation, making it a more natural first stop for riders checking their options.

​Smart, well-timed authentication. Loginless mode doesn't remove sign-in, it places it at moments where it genuinely helps the rider. Agencies retain a clear path to account creation, and riders who need to book trips, access eligible-only services, or manage their profile are still guided to log in.

​Eligibility hints for restricted services. If a rider is browsing without an account and your agency offers services restricted to specific groups (such as paratransit), the app can display a hint letting them know that additional options may be available after signing in. This surfaces the value of creating an account without requiring it upfront.

Not all services behave the same way in loginless mode. Here's a breakdown of what's visible to unauthenticated riders:

Fixed-route transit is fully visible without an account. Riders can see nearby stops on the map, live departure times, real-time vehicle positions, service alerts, and route shapes. This is equivalent to what they'd see on a public transit website or Google Maps.
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​Note: Connect with Spare to discuss implementing Fixed Route within your service.

If your agency runs an on-demand or microtransit service that's open to the general public, meaning it has at least one zone with no group restriction, riders can see that service's coverage area on the map and get a trip estimate without signing in. Booking still requires an account, but riders can confirm the service exists and get a sense of cost and availability before committing to sign-up.

Services that are restricted to specific rider groups — for example, paratransit programs or eligibility-gated programs — are not shown in trip estimates for unauthenticated riders. Instead, if your organization has any group-restricted services, the app displays a hint on the trip options screen letting riders know that additional options may be available after signing in. This is intentional: it surfaces the value of an account without exposing restricted services to ineligible users.

Trip booking, payment methods, tickets, fare passes, trip history, promotional codes, account settings, and any service requiring eligibility verification are all gated behind authentication. Riders hit a sign-in prompt if they try to access these features.

Contact your Spare account team to discuss enabling it for your organization.