Ride-Hailing Service, but for Kids

The launch of HopSkipDrive in Denver reflects a nationwide trend.

1 minute read

April 11, 2018, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Child in Car

suriyachan / Shutterstock

Tamara Chuang reports on HopSkipDrive, an "Uber for Kids" service launched recently in Denver. The Los Angeles-based company is "the first ride-sharing service approved by state regulators to focus on unaccompanied minors," according to Chuang. "And unlike Uber and Lyft, the kid-friendly service goes beyond minimum background requirements and only works with drivers who have five years of child care experience — and are willing to get fingerprinted."

HopSkipDrive is one of a number of new "kid-focused" ride-sharing companies, as evidenced by another recent post on the RideGuru website. "Boosted by today’s familiarity with ride sharing and working parents juggling multiple kids and activities, the rise of this premium business is also a tiny part of the booming ride- and car-sharing market, which is forecast to grow globally to 160 billion rides by 2026 compared to last year’s 12.4 billion," according to Chuang.

Thursday, April 5, 2018 in The Denver Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Cars on a New York City street

USDOT Revokes Approval for NYC Congestion Pricing

Despite the administration’s stated concern for the “working class,” 85 percent of Manhattan commuters use public transit to enter the city.

February 20, 2025 - StreetsBlog NYC

Tiny home village for unhoused reisdents in Torrance, California.

Tiny House Villages for Addressing Homelessness: An Interview with Yetimoni Kpeebi

One researcher's perspective on the potential of tiny homes and owner-built housing as one tool to fight the housing crisis.

February 20, 2025 - Mark Tirpak

Charred trees on hillside in Altadena, California after Eaton Fire.

Preserving Altadena’s Trees: A Community Effort to Save a Fire-Damaged Landscape

In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena Green is working to preserve fire-damaged but recoverable trees, advocating for better assessment processes, educating homeowners, and protecting the community’s urban canopy from unnecessary removal.

March 3 - LAist

Green electric Volkswagen van against a beach backdrop.

The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan

Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.

March 3 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Tent covered with camouflage tarp with American flag on front under freeway overpass in California.

Investigation Reveals Just How Badly California’s Homeless Shelters are Failing

Fraud, violence, death, and chaos follow a billion dollar investment in a temporary solution that is proving ineffective.

March 3 - The Associated Press

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.