School Rideshares Emerge as Parents Seek Alternative to Traditional Bus Services
A Chance Encounter Inspires a New Way to Carpool
Ismael El-Amin was driving his daughter to school when a chance encounter gave him an idea for a new way to carpool. On the way across Chicago, his daughter spotted a classmate riding with her own dad as they drove to their selective public school on the city’s North Side. For 40 minutes, they rode along the same congested highway. "They’re waving to each other in the back. I’m looking at the dad. The dad’s looking at me. And I was like, parents can definitely be a resource to parents," El-Amin said, who went on to found Piggyback Network, a service parents can use to book rides for their children.
The Problem of School Bus Services
Reliance on school buses has been waning for years as districts struggle to find drivers and more students attend schools far outside their neighborhoods. As responsibility for transportation shifts to families, the question of how to replace the traditional yellow bus has become an urgent problem for some, and a spark for innovation. State and local governments decide how widely to offer school bus service. Lately, more have been cutting back. Only about 28% of U.S. students take a school bus, according to a Federal Highway Administration survey concluded early last year. That’s down from about 36% in 2017.
The Rise of Rideshares
Chicago Public Schools, the nation’s fourth-largest district, has significantly curbed bus service in recent years. It still offers rides for disabled and homeless students, in line with a federal mandate, but most families are on their own. Only 17,000 of the district’s 325,000 students are eligible for school bus rides.
Piggyback Network: A New Solution
Last year, the school system launched a pilot program allowing some students who attend out-of-neighborhood magnet or selective-enrollment schools to catch a bus at a nearby school’s "hub stop." It aims to start with rides for about 1,000 students by the end of the school year. The school district has also been working with Private companies like Piggyback Network, which connects parents who can drive students to school to those who need a ride.
HopSkipDrive: Another Alternative
Another company, HopSkipDrive, contracts directly with school districts to assist students without reliable transportation. The company launched a decade ago in Los Angeles with three mothers trying to coordinate school carpools and now supports some 600 school districts in 13 states. Regulations keep it from operating in some states, including Kentucky, where a group of Louisville students has been lobbying on its behalf to change that.
The Future of School Transportation
The rise of rideshares has sparked a debate about the future of school transportation. Some see it as a necessary solution to a long-standing problem, while others worry about the safety and reliability of these services. As the issue continues to evolve, one thing is clear: parents are determined to find a solution to get their children to and from school safely and on time.
Conclusion
The traditional school bus is no longer the only option for getting children to school. With the rise of rideshares, parents are finding new ways to ensure their children get to and from school safely and on time. Whether through Piggyback Network, HopSkipDrive, or other companies, one thing is clear: the future of school transportation is changing, and it’s up to parents to shape it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it safe for children to ride with strangers?
A: Many companies that offer rideshares for children, such as Piggyback Network and HopSkipDrive, screen drivers more extensively, checking their fingerprints and requiring them to have childcare or parenting experience.
Q: Are these services reliable?
A: While some companies, like HopSkipDrive, contract directly with school districts, others, like Piggyback Network, rely on parent volunteers to drive students to school. The reliability of these services can vary depending on the company and the specific arrangement.
Q: How do these services ensure the safety of children?
A: Companies like HopSkipDrive and Piggyback Network have put in place various safety measures, including driver screening, GPS tracking, and communication systems to ensure the safety of children in their care.
Q: Are these services only for students who can’t afford traditional bus service?
A: No, these services are open to any student who needs a ride to school, regardless of their financial situation.
