Youth Transportation Solution HopSkipDrive Invests $1M In Back To School Bonuses Program For CareDrivers

HopSkipDrive, the innovative youth transportation solution, announced the launch of their Back to School Bonuses program.

HopSkipDrive will invest $1M into the program, designed to give CareDrivers on the HopSkipDrive platform earnings guarantees, extra incentives based on ride demand, and loyalty rewards for helping to get children back to in-person learning this spring.

The company’s mission is to create opportunity for all through mobility, and the Back to School Bonuses program reflects HopSkipDrive’s commitment to that purpose.

HopSkipDrive Riders, often youth in foster care, youth experiencing homelessness, and those with special needs, have been hit especially hard by the move to distance learning, with many studies reporting increased learning loss among those populations. The company wants to help these groups quickly return to in-person school.

HopSkipDrive VP of Marketplace Jon Hanover says,

“Our country can’t get back to normal until kids get back to school, and many kids can’t get back to school without a safe ride from a CareDriver.  I’m thrilled to announce the Back to School Bonuses program, which will help more CareDrivers help more kids return to in-person learning.”

The Back to School Bonuses program also ensures CareDrivers, who report the platform gives them the opportunity to set their own hours, make extra income and help their community, can make additional earnings as the need for their services dramatically increases.

Joanna McFarland, Co-founder, and CEO of HopSkipDrive, says,

“Our community of platform users is the heart of this company. This investment is crucial to helping children who will benefit from the return to school, busy families to get the transportation help they need, and CareDrivers as they get back on the road.”

CareDrivers are 80% female and a majority have children of their own. Many are retired educators, social workers, and caregivers, who report feeling safer with HopSkipDrive’s daytime hours and transporting children rather than adults. CareDrivers earn more on HopSkipDrive than on other platforms; the Back to School Bonuses program will help to boost this income.

HopSkipDrive is committed to promoting the health and safety of platform users, implementing COVID-Safe Ride Standards since the beginning of the pandemic. These standards include CareDrivers and Riders wearing masks during rides, in-app affirmations, and reminders of COVID-Safe standards and best practices. HopSkipDrive also provides CareDrivers with letters attesting to their caregiving services so that they can get vaccines.

The company looks forward to seeing the investment in platform users lead to increased platform usage, more CareDrivers on the road, and children returning to rapidly reopening schools.

Designed by protective moms and driven by caregivers, HopSkipDrive is the innovator in arranging safe, dependable youth transportation for schools, districts, government agencies, and families. HopSkipDrive’s advanced technology platform and industry-leading operational expertise provide flexibility and visibility while helping create opportunities for all through mobility.

Since 2014, HopSkipDrive has expanded to eight states and 15 major markets. A venture capital-backed company, HopSkipDrive shares investors with well-known brands like Airbnb, Pinterest, Bird, and Ring.