Key Takeaways from Our Sixth Annual Safety Report

At HopSkipDrive, we believe trust is earned through transparency. That’s why we’re proud to share key takeaways from our annual Safety Report, which provides a comprehensive look at our commitment to setting the highest safety standards in student transportation. Driven by innovation, we continually enhance our technology to ensure the safest possible experience for every rider. Our most recent report details our latest safety metrics from 2024, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to providing peace of mind for schools, families, and communities.

Read on to explore highlights from our 2024 Safety Report.

What does peace of mind look like? 99.697% rides without a single safety concern

While serving 1,000+ school district, government agency, and nonprofit partners in 2024, 99.697% of our 1.7 million rides concluded without a safety incident — maintaining our exceptional track record, even as we expanded operations. This metric includes everything from Community Guidelines violations to vehicle condition concerns, setting a higher standard for safety reporting than industry norms. 

This data demonstrates that our comprehensive, technology-led and data-driven approach to safety is not only effective, but also sustainable at scale. These results reflect the impact of our more than 50 safety products, features, and initiatives that work in concert to create multiple layers of protection for every ride, every step of the way.

34 million miles driven means 34 million tests our safety system passed

Behind each mile on the HopSkipDrive platform lies a robust safety system constantly being tested and proven. In 2024, HopSkipDrive CareDrivers® drove an unprecedented 34 million safe miles while serving students across 14 states. This milestone helps to confirm our multilayered systems function effectively across diverse regions — from dense urban neighborhoods to rural communities.

Our in-depth approach combines AI-powered monitoring with real-time oversight from our Safe Ride Support^® team, creating reliability with all of the environments and transportation scenarios we support.

Enhanced video screening ensures experienced caregivers are behind the wheel

Our 15-point CareDriver certification process now includes an improved video screening process for CareDrivers, allowing us to evaluate candidates beyond credentials and background checks. Potential drivers record responses about their childcare experience and approach to working with children, giving our team insight into their communication style and caregiving philosophy. Dedicated onboarding specialists review each submission against specific safety criteria, identifying individuals who bring genuine care and understanding to their role.

This screening complements our comprehensive background checks — including FBI fingerprinting, motor vehicle record checks, and child abuse and neglect screenings (where applicable) — creating multiple layers of protection before a CareDriver meets their first rider.

Advanced safety alerts, notifications, and communication = an even safer, more consistent ride experience

In 2024, we strengthened our ability to consistently and swiftly respond to safety alerts across our platform. A dedicated team of our most tenured and highest-performing team members monitors rides in progress and oversees our improved alert management system — resulting in better identification and prioritization of potential safety incidents.

We also expanded real-time communication capabilities with enhanced caregiver notifications. Through our proprietary Safe Ride Support^® technology, caregivers now receive automated updates on key ride events, including stops and deviations. The HopSkipDrive team also proactively provides post-ride SMS updates and direct support, ensuring transparency and satisfaction for families.

Direct, secure communication between school transportation teams and CareDrivers was also introduced in 2024, facilitating immediate resolution of issues during rides while maintaining privacy through masked numbers.

These advancements collectively reflect HopSkipDrive’s commitment to continuous improvement and prioritizing the safety and well-being of students.

10 markets now offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles without compromising safety standards

Students with mobility needs in Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, and seven other HopSkipDrive markets can now access transportation with the same safety standards as their peers. Wheelchair-accessible vehicle rides are integrated into the HopSkipDrive marketplace through a unique model that combines our signature safety approach and regulatory expertise with the specialized skills of local transportation experts known as CarePartners™.

These experienced drivers have a proven history of providing safe and reliable transportation to students with disabilities, and are required to complete our comprehensive 15-point certification process — which includes name-based and fingerprint background checks; child abuse and neglect screenings (where applicable); continuous criminal record monitoring; vehicle inspections; and registering for HopSkipDrive onboarding courses covering policies, trauma-informed care, and more.

Setting new standards in school transportation safety

All of the data and information shared in our 2024 Safety Report matters because it represents real change — schools finding a transportation partner they can trust, as well as solutions to seemingly impossible transportation challenges; students attending school who couldn’t before; and parents who can rely on their children getting to school safely and on time. It isn’t just about innovation for its own sake — it’s about technology solving problems that have limited educational access for generations.

As we move forward with our work, we will continue to set new standards in school transportation safety in 2025 and beyond.

Choose safe, reliable transportation for every student.

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