HopSkipDrive launches in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

HopSkipDrive has announced a partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools, growing our footprint and enabling us to arrange safe and reliable rides for Pittsburgh-area students for the upcoming school year. 

We currently partner with more than 600 school districts, government agencies, and nonprofits nationwide, supporting over 10,000 schools. Our expansion into Pittsburgh extends our operating area in the state of Pennsylvania, where we currently partner with Philadelphia-area districts and schools.

Beginning in the 2024–2025 academic year, HopSkipDrive will supplement existing transportation options at Pittsburgh Public Schools, Baldwin-Whitehall School District, and other area school districts.

HopSkipDrive’s marketplace arranges care-centered transportation, connecting kids, older adults, or anyone needing extra support to highly-vetted caregivers on wheels — CareDrivers — who are parents, grandparents, nurses, babysitters, and other experienced caregivers from the community. CareDrivers have a minimum of five years of caregiving experience, and undergo a 15-point certification process and rigorous vetting before they can gain access to the platform.

Here is 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. 

Says HopSkipDrive CEO and Co-founder, Joanna McFarland: “We’re thrilled to be launching in Pittsburgh 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. We know school transportation leaders are looking for additional solutions that offer safe, reliable transportation. CareDrivers are experienced caregivers from the Pittsburgh community who undergo thorough vetting to ensure that children will be safe in their back seats.” 

“Pittsburgh Public Schools is excited to partner with HopSkipDrive, especially to support our students in need of more individualized transportation, including those who experience homelessness, are in the foster care system, or are on individualized education plans,” said Megan Patton, Director of Pupil Transportation at Pittsburgh Public Schools. “We know no two students are the same, and our transportation team works hard to identify the right transportation option for these most vulnerable students. With nearly 20,000 students, we are continually looking for innovative and safe partners like HopSkipDrive, who, with expertise and experience, can deliver a supplemental solution to get kids to and from school safely.”

“We take pride in providing a dependable and trustworthy student transportation solution to schools and districts, and we’re looking forward to partnering with Pittsburgh Public Schools,” McFarland continued. “A safe, reliable ride to school helps students reach their educational goals."

Pittsburgh-area districts or schools interested in partnering with HopSkipDrive can sign up here for a free consultation.

HopSkipDrive is actively seeking CareDrivers in the Pittsburgh area

HopSkipDrive is actively welcoming new CareDrivers from the Pittsburgh 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.

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