HopSkipDrive launches in Bakersfield for next school year

Helping schools overcome bus driver shortages and improve transportation options with a network of vetted local CareDrivers, HopSkipDrive will launch in Bakersfield, California, 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 Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield community who undergo thorough vetting to ensure that children will be safe in their back seats.” 

HopSkipDrive is partnering with Kern County Department of Human Services in Bakersfield, and others, to expand transportation options for students. “The Kern County Department of Human Services is excited to partner with HopSkipDrive,” said Lito Morillo, Director of the Kern County Department of Human Services. “This service will support local foster youth by filling in the transportation gaps and allowing children to remain in their school of origin no matter where they live. This will help lessen the disruptive impact of entering foster care and allows children to quickly return to familiar classrooms, faces and friends. We believe this transportation solution is the right step toward fostering educational equity and success for our foster youth.”

HopSkipDrive’s small vehicle network and dynamic driver availability fill gaps in transportation access. HopSkipDrive offers Bakersfield-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 youth 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. 

In addition to HopSkipDrive rides, the company also offers schools and school districts AI-based software to optimize transportation routing, including bus routes, to solve challenges like bus driver shortages, changes in bell times, climate goals, and budget constraints.

Here’s an overview of 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 RideIQ 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 students will receive updates, including pickup times, live ride tracking, and CareDriver information, via text message and through the HopSkipDrive app.

Districts interested in partnering with HopSkipDrive can sign up here for a free consultation.

HopSkipDrive is actively seeking CareDrivers in the Bakersfield area

HopSkipDrive is actively welcoming new CareDrivers from the Bakersfield 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.

*Terms Apply

Interested in learning more about how HopSkipDrive can help your Bakersfield-area organization, school, or district safely get kids where they need to go?