SAN DIEGO — Eliminating the stress of hectic back-to-school driving schedules, HopSkipDrive is bringing its ride service designed for kids to San Diego parents, families and schools.
With the expansion of service to San Diego, parents of kids ages six and up have a new solution to the struggle of getting children where they need to go safely, reliably and economically. So far, nearly 1,000 San Diego families have signed up for service and many have been waiting two years for HopSkipDrive to launch in the region.
Whether it’s to and from school, or pick up and drop off at an extracurricular activity, HopSkipDrive matches families with a trusted CareDriver who is backed by the industry’s highest safety standards. CareDrivers must have at least five years of caregiving experience, a clean driving record and go through a highly selective 15-point certification process, including fingerprinting, background checks and registration with TrustLine—California’s authorized screening program of in-home caregivers, which is endorsed by the California Academy of Pediatrics. Each ride can be tracked through the parent’s app from start to finish and is monitored in real time by dedicated HopSkipDrive Safe Rides Specialists, in addition to other tech-enabled safeguards.
“As working parents, we know that getting kids to and from school and extracurricular activities every day is a constant challenge and there had been little to no innovation to make it easier,” said Joanna McFarland, co-founder and CEO. “With HopSkipDrive, we created a platform that solves this challenge by offering reliable and flexible transportation for busy families, along with the peace of mind that their kids are safe and getting the care they need. With tw0 million safe miles already traveled and counting, we’re proud to bring HopSkipDrive to San Diego parents.”
In addition to rides for individual families, HopSkipDrive partners with hundreds of schools and districts to create customized transportation solutions for students, including the Escondido Union High School District.
With service already available in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and Denver, San Diego parents can find the full list of serviceable areas in San Diego County here. Rides can be booked at least eight hours in advance for the next day, the whole week or even the full school year at HopSkipDrive.com or by downloading the easy-to-use app available on both iPhone and Android. Rides start at $16, and carpool rides can be as low as $7 with multiple families in the car. A fare estimator is accessible here. First-time users get their first ride up to $20 free with PROMO CODE “SDRIDE”.
About HopSkipDrive
HopSkipDrive is a mission-driven company whose goal is to give all kids access to opportunity through mobility. Founded in 2014, HopSkipDrive is the most caring, tech-enabled transportation solution for families and K-12 schools, non-profits, and kid-based businesses. The company is building a national transportation network that connects schools and families with trusted CareDrivers, who get kids wherever they need to go safely, reliably and economically.
CareDrivers must have a minimum of 5 years of caregiving experience and pass a rigorous 15-point certification process, which includes extensive background checks, fingerprinting, DMV checks, driver training, and an in-person meeting with HopSkipDrive staff. To learn more, visit: www.hopskipdrive.com or download the iOS or Android App. To become a CareDriver, submit an application here.
