Ridesourcing for Children, Various Companies, United States, 2019

Wired magazine published an article by Rebecca Heilweil that profiled the specialty ridesourcing companies HopSkipDrive, Zum, GoKart and Kango. These companies allow minors (under 18) legally hail and ride in their vehicles, unaccompanied. The drivers must meet industry standard qualifications, but must also meet additional requirements, such as childcare experience (most drivers are women), and additional background check and sometimes additional registration to serve as a parent by proxy at pick-up places such as schools. The drivers and children are given unique code words to confirm pick-up.

The Wired article mentions that the services address an issue where underage users travel in violation of regulations with incumbent ridesourcing companies such as Uber and Lyft, using parents or guardians’ credit cards either with or without their knowledge.

Updated June 2019