to be picked up by an unidentified stranger with no qualifications.” Equally as important, yet not as equally discussed, is that ride-hailing programs cost money. UberHOP, for instance, comes with a $5 fare per ride. Tat becomes pri- cy when used on a daily basis. While people have always sought alternatives to public transportation, it has been limited to those who can regularly afford taxis or car ser- vices. For a major portion of the population, the cheapest solution is often the only solution. On top of the expense issue, these companies are facing or settling several cases of litigation across the country. Uber recently resolved two lawsuits in California and Massachusetts for a sum of $100 million to end a fight with its contractors who sought employee status. Tis settlement arrived a few weeks before two more class-action lawsuits from workers in Florida and Illinois who are fighting for the same change. Still, establishing a similar Uber/Lyft model to student transportation remains a goal. A few companies have cropped up in the last year to try to mimic the success of Uber and Lyft, that success slightly tentative. Two start-ups, Shuddle and HopSkipDrive, have attempted to bring about on-demand, ride-hailing services to a few cities on the West Coast.
58 School Transportation News • JUNE 2016
Shuddle, which was based in San Francisco, pro- moted itself as kid-friendly, ride-sharing program for parents willing to pay a bit more for on-demand service. While the company grew its staff to 32, pro- vided 65,000 rides and secured funds of $12 million, Shuddle fell short of its further fundraising goals and ceased operations in April. Te Los Angeles-based HopSkipDrive is still going
“(Ride-hailing) is not common or a trend by any means (in student transporation).”
strong. Much like Shuddle, HopSkipDrive offers rides to both school and after-school. Currently, the company operates throughout L.A. and Orange County, and employs 500 drivers, who are rigorously vetted, including background checks and finger- printing. Drivers must also have childcare experience. “HopSkipDrive is perfect for the times when the regular school bus schedule isn’t convenient or when a child requires additional caregiving outside of the set bus route,” said Jo-
anna McFarland, CEO and co-founder of HopSkipDrive. McFarland has explicitly stated that her company
wasn’t founded to compete with the school bus. Instead, McFarland believes that HopSkipDrive “offers a more accessible and convenient option for those families that need that extra flexibility as well as confirmation that their kids have arrived to their destinations safely and reliably.”
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