HopSkipDrive launches in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

HopSkipDrive has officially launched in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! We’re excited to have the opportunity to offer families in the Philly area a safe, reliable transportation solution to help get kids where they need to go. Founded in 2014, HopSkipDrive now operates in 20 major markets, and has contracts with 300+ school districts across the country. 

We’re looking forward to playing a part in alleviating some of the many transportation challenges families in the Philadelphia area are facing today. 

Joanna McFarland, Co-founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive says, “I’m thrilled to bring HopSkipDrive to families in Philadelphia. As a busy mom of two, I know the struggles parents face when trying to manage the demands of a career and the logistics of transporting children every day. I’m happy to bring HopSkipDrive to the families that need us.” 

A Convenient Transportation Solution for Families

Parents and caregivers in the Philadelphia area will be able to use the HopSkipDrive app to request rides (for children who are at least six years old) with HopSkipDrive CareDrivers — each of whom have undergone extensive background checks and have a minimum of five years of required caregiving experience.

Says one parent who has relied on HopSkipDrive to help with her family’s complicated transportation needs: “HopSkipDrive has been life-changing for our family. Instead of racing across town from work to drive my two busy budding athletes from school to practice to home, I can now just pick them up at practice. We are all happier — and we eat at home more because now there’s extra time to actually prepare a meal! It’s been amazing how much our stress level has been reduced.”

Rides can be reserved as little as eight hours in advance or by 7 p.m. the night before for morning rides the next day. Parents can provide customized, detailed ride instructions about such things as carpool lines, pickup and drop-off notes, sign-in/out requests, etc. 

Before the ride, parents receive a profile photo of their HopSkipDrive CareDriver, which they can share with their child. During each HopSkipDrive ride, parents receive progress alerts at each step of the journey.

In addition, HopSkipDrive’s Safe Ride Support System tracks every ride continuously, proactively addressing potential issues and maintaining direct communication with parents and CareDrivers. 

Prioritizing Safety with Unmatched Industry Standards

HopSkipDrive provides a unique transportation solution that combines sophisticated technology with deep operational expertise to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who uses the HopSkipDrive platform. HopSkipDrive’s meticulous approach to safety begins with highly vetted caregivers behind the wheel (who are known as “CareDrivers”) and extends to every aspect of the company’s operations. 

Every HopSkipDrive CareDriver has at least five years of caregiving experience and must pass a rigorous 15-point certification process, including fingerprinting, background screenings and ongoing driving record checks. CareDrivers on the HopSkipDrive platform must use a four-door vehicle newer than 1 years old, and vehicles must pass an inspection by a certified mechanic annually. HopSkipDrive CareDrivers have safely driven over 20M+ miles and transported 1.4M+ riders to date.

HopSkipDrive is actively seeking CareDrivers in the Philadelphia area

Being a CareDriver is a unique experience that comes with many benefits, including competitive pay up to $40/hour, a flexible schedule and the opportunity to make a difference by helping families in the local community. Individuals who are interested in becoming a HopSkipDrive CareDriver in the Philadelphia area can visit hopskipdrive.com/drive to sign up.

A Trusted Transportation Partner

HopSkipDrive is trusted by schools, districts and families nationwide as a solution to simplify specialized transportation for students — including those with IEPs, youth who are experiencing homelessness or are in foster care, and students with special needs.

As a transportation solution for general education populations, HopSkipDrive has been proven to be a cost-effective, environmentally friendly solution when a bus is underutilized, or when there are 12 kids or fewer on a bus. 

Schools, districts and counties interested in partnering with HopSkipDrive can email us at partnerships@hopskipdrive.com or request a free quote.