Guest ContributorHopSkipDrive, a technology company, solving complex transportation challenges with equity, safety and care, is now available in Tucson for the 2024-2025 academic school year, offering local school districts a new option to supplement school buses and existing transportation options for students. HopSkipDrive supports more than 10,000 schools around the country, trusted to help solve local bus driver shortages, challenges with on-time arrivals, budget pressures and other issues.
“We’re thrilled to be launching in Tucson this year, to ensure that school districts and families have access to the reliable rides HopSkipDrive is known for across the country, as well as our industry-leading technology and unparalleled approach to safety,” said Joanna McFarland, CEO and co-founder of HopSkipDrive. “We know school transportation leaders are looking for additional solutions that offer safe, reliable transportation. CareDrivers are experienced caregivers from the Tucson community who undergo thorough vetting to ensure that children will be safe in their back seats.”
HopSkipDrive’s small vehicle network and dynamic driver availability fills gaps in transportation access. HopSkipDrive offers Tucson area school districts a flexible and reliable ride, especially for those students whose needs cannot be met with traditional school buses and fixed routes, including those experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or with disabilities. With HopSkipDrive, rides can be arranged with just eight hours’ notice, providing unparalleled safe and accessible transportation to support schools and students.
HopSkipDrive is actively welcoming new CareDrivers from the Tucson area to provide rides for students. Eligible drivers can earn up to $50 per ride and must have at least five years of caregiving experience and pass a 15-point certification process and rigorous vetting. Anyone interested in becoming a CareDriver can apply on HopSkipDrive’s website.
Here’s how HopSkipDrive works:
- School districts identify students to receive rides from CareDrivers and inform parents and caregivers.
- Transportation officials then arrange rides directly through HopSkipDrive’s online platform.
- Once a ride has been booked, HopSkipDrive delivers ride details to organizers, parents and caregivers. All details, and real-time ride tracking, is available in the HopSkipDrive app.
- Riders and CareDrivers verify one another using a multi-factor verification system using birthdays, names, and code words, for an added layer of security before beginning the ride.
- Parents and caregivers of selected students will receive updates, including pickup times, live ride tracking, and CareDriver information, via text message and through the HopSkipDrive app.
HopSkipDrive partners with school districts across 13 states, supporting more than 10,000 schools. More than three million rides over 61 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.
Joseph Kavetsky
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