LOS ANGELES, Calif. – HopSkipDrive, a technology company solving complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, equity, and care, today announced four new safety initiatives designed to further enhance the company’s commitment to safe, reliable student transportation.

Following the recently released sixth annual Safety Report, which highlighted that 99.7% of rides in 2024 were completed without a safety-related concern, HopSkipDrive is introducing new measures to improve critical aspects of student transportation safety.

“These innovations reflect our data-driven approach in continuously improving the student transportation experience from end-to-end,” said Jen Brandenburger, SVP of Safety at HopSkipDrive. “Each initiative addresses a specific aspect of our platform, but together they represent our holistic approach to safety and our commitment to relentlessly raising the bar.”

The four new safety initiatives include:

1. CareDriver Trends – Recently launched, this significant update to CareDriver ride insights replaces previous weekly Success Cards with comprehensive metrics on cancellations, on-time arrivals, missed check-ins, telematics scores, and more – all accessible whenever CareDrivers need them, directly within the app. Located in a new dashboard, CareDriver Trends consolidates safety and experience indicators into an easy-to-understand trends rating, helping CareDrivers further improve their safety and receive actionable insights into their driving behavior.

2. Improved Must be Met Process – For rides where a responsible adult must be present at drop-off, HopSkipDrive is introducing a significant update that will introduce more structured protocols and bring greater clarity and consistency for parents, school staff, and CareDrivers. Ride Organizers will be able to define authorized individual groups and select specific verification requirements, while simplified protocol options for both Ride Organizers and authorized responsible adults at drop-off (meet at car, meet at door, meet inside) will appear in the Ride Organizer and CareDriver apps.

3. Customized Trauma-Informed Training with The National Organization for Victim Assistance – This new partnership with NOVA (National Organization for Victim Assistance) will implement specialized trauma-informed training for Trust & Safety and Safe Ride Support teams. With over 45 years of experience, NOVA stands as the nation’s longest-serving victim assistance organization, bringing unparalleled expertise in compassionate care and support to help further strengthen HopSkipDrive’s ability to better serve students with diverse needs. This new training will be implemented later this year.

4. Dedicated Rider Support Line – Recently launched as a pilot program in the Bay Area, this feature provides riders with direct access to the Safe Ride Support team through a text message sent before each ride, containing a phone number they can call if needed. Riders can connect directly with a member of the team who can provide immediate assistance, offer guidance during their ride, or help resolve any issues that may arise. This pilot will expand to additional markets throughout the course of the year.

At the heart of these initiatives lies a fundamental belief that innovation in safety isn’t just about metrics, it’s about unlocking educational access and opportunity. With each new feature, program, and protocol enhancement, HopSkipDrive strengthens the bridge connecting students to their potential. These improvements build upon the company’s 50+ existing safety products and features, reflecting the reality that reliable transportation is foundational to ensuring students have access to the educational opportunities they deserve. As HopSkipDrive continues evolving its safety framework, the mission remains clear: to create opportunity for all through mobility.

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, equity, and care. HopSkipDrive is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and industry-leading routing software, RouteWise AI. HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 10,000 schools across 17 states, with over 600 school district partners. More than five million rides over 95 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

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Safety is the foundation of everything we do at HopSkipDrive. From our early days connecting families with safe rides to becoming a leader in supplemental school transportation, we’ve remained laser-focused on prioritizing the well-being of every rider. We’re not just arranging transportation for kids; we’re enabling opportunities, and safety is the key.

As pioneers in transparency within the student transportation sector, HopSkipDrive is proud to present our sixth annual Safety Report. Here, we openly share our 2024 safety data and spotlight the innovative steps we’ve taken to enhance our platform and protect our community.

This year’s report reflects our performance in 2024 a year marked by significant growth. We powered over 1.7 million safe rides, with our dedicated CareDriver network traveling more than 34 million safe miles. A remarkable 99.697% of those rides were completed without incident, a testament to the strength of our multi-layered safety processes and the dedication of CareDrivers and the HopSkipDrive team.

We’re setting new standards for safety in student transportation, and are constantly innovating and investing in technology to achieve that goal. Download the 2024 Safety Report now to explore our safety data and initiatives.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -HopSkipDrive today announced that it is facilitating transportation for students in wheelchair-accessible vehicles in 10 metros around the country, significantly expanding the company’s offerings for school districts and students and raising the bar on transportation for students with disabilities.

School district partners are able to book rides through HopSkipDrive for students in wheelchairs, marking a meaningful step in the company’s efforts to arrange supplemental small vehicle transportation for students of all abilities and ages. Rides are now available in the Bay Area, Colorado Springs, Denver, Los Angeles, Orange County, Northern Virginia, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle, and Spokane. HopSkipDrive plans to extend this offering to more cities this fall, in conjunction with the 2025–2026 academic year.

HopSkipDrive operates a marketplace to supplement existing services like yellow buses, connecting school districts with a network of highly vetted CareDrivers® in small vehicles to provide support when and where schools need it most, ensuring districts can meet state and federal requirements.

Through the company’s marketplace, wheelchair-accessible vehicle rides are fulfilled through trained, professional local transportation experts, known as CarePartners, who are specialists in providing transportation for students with heightened needs. CarePartner drivers are experienced professionals. HopSkipDrive’s standards don’t end there: the company ensures all CarePartner drivers undergo the company’s comprehensive certification process, including passing name- and fingerprint-based background checks, clearing child abuse and neglect screenings, where available, enrolling in continuous criminal monitoring, completing vehicle inspections, and completing HopSkipDrive onboarding courses covering policies, trauma-informed care, and more.

“We know school district teams are working hard to meet every need for every student and we’re working right alongside them,” said Joanna McFarland, CEO and Co-founder of HopSkipDrive. “With this progress, we’re able to fulfill more rides, backed by our industry-leading technology and an unparalleled approach to safety. We can’t take a chance of a child missing class, field trips, or other opportunities because of existing transportation options that may not be built for them.”

Some of the biggest U.S. school districts, such as Chicago Public Schools, have reported increases in the number of students with disabilities who request, and are legally obligated to, receive school-provided transportation.

“HopSkipDrive wheelchair-accessible rides are so critically important for us to ensure students seamlessly enjoy outings with their classmates, thanks to a safe, reliable provider,” said Jasmine Thompson, manager of operational partnerships, Rocky Mountain Prep Network, a network of inclusive public charter schools serving families in the Denver-metro area.

Districts interested in partnering with HopSkipDrive can sign up here for a free consultation.

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, equity, and care. HopSkipDrive is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and industry-leading routing software, RouteWise AI. HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 10,000 schools across 17 states, with over 600 school district partners. More than three million rides over 61 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

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LOS ANGELES, Calif., HopSkipDrive a technology company solving complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, equity, and care, today announced the addition of Sandra Dainora Petersen as Senior Vice President of Product. A seasoned product executive with extensive marketplace experience, Petersen will oversee HopSkipDrive’s Product and User Experience teams, and spearhead the company’s product strategy and development as it continues to raise the bar and set new industry standards in student transportation technology.

The senior hire comes as HopSkipDrive continues its substantial momentum, with ride volume soaring 300% in the last academic year and its RouteWise AI solution optimizing student transportation operations and helping save districts up to 20% of their annual operating budget on average. She joins the Product & Technology team under Chief Product & Technology Officer Corey McMahon’s leadership, alongside Jacob Green, VP of Engineering, and the recent addition of Lacey Plache as VP of Data Science & Analytics. Petersen brings deep expertise in scaling technology platforms and driving growth, most recently serving as Chief Product Officer at Sittercity where she oversaw the development of cutting-edge B2B solutions that transformed how organizations leverage care services and led the company’s trust and safety teams.

“Sandra’s exceptional ability to harness technology in solving complex operational challenges, combined with her proven track record of building delightful user experiences, makes her the perfect leader to drive our product innovation forward,” said Joanna McFarland, Co-founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive. “Her experience scaling marketplaces and her deep understanding of the care economy aligns perfectly with our mission of creating opportunity for all through mobility.”

Previously, as Senior Director of Product at Grubhub, Petersen played a pivotal role in expanding the delivery vertical to 200+ regions. She brings significant expertise in building high-performing teams that foster collaboration and accountability, with an unwavering focus on creating seamless customer experiences that drive growth. Petersen began her career serving in product management and operations roles at Harpo Productions, The Oprah Winfrey Network, Chicago Tribune Interactive, Discover Financial Services, and A&E Television Networks.

“The opportunity to join HopSkipDrive at this transformative moment is incredibly exciting,” said Petersen. “As both a product leader and a parent of a fourth-grader myself, I deeply understand the critical role that reliable, safe transportation plays in expanding educational opportunities. I’m energized to work alongside the talented HopSkipDrive team as we continue to develop innovative solutions that help schools, students, and families thrive.”

About HopSkipDrive:
HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, equity, and care. HopSkipDrive’s marketplace arranges care-centered transportation, supplementing other transportation options by connecting kids, older adults, or anyone needing extra support to highly vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses. HopSkipDrive also builds software and offers advisory services that solve the biggest transportation challenges facing schools and school districts around the country, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive partners with school districts, government agencies, and nonprofits including supporting more than 10,000 schools across 13 states. More than 3.3 million rides over 61 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

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