Between school drop-offs and pick-ups, and all the extracurricular activities, it can sometimes feel like you are your teen’s own (unpaid) personal chauffeur. Public transit can often be unreliable, with a limited run schedule, and sometimes even a little scary for kids on their own.
If you’re able to foot the slightly higher expense, booking a ride for your teen through a rideshare app is a super convenient option to get them where they want to go. And, it takes some of the work off your own shoulders. We found a few safe, reliable options to check out in the metro Detroit area.
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Rideshare for school activities:
HopSkipDrive
HopSkipDrive is a supplemental school transportation service. If you need to get your teen to/from school, to sports practice, music lessons, a work internship or a close friend’s home, they’ve got you covered. Their CareDrivers undergo rigorous driving tests and background checks, and are often former teachers or babysitters. The app also offers real-time tracking and Safe Ride Support
to give you peace of mind. Note: HopSkipDrive is not an on-demand service. All rides must be booked at least six hours in advance.
Safety features:
- All CareDrivers must pass a 15-point certification process, and must have past experience as a caregiver
- A multi-factor verification process that ensures your teen is getting into the right vehicle
- Real-time tracking and travel time estimates, with ride status notifications
- Dedicated support line for any immediate assistance during a ride
Rideshare for exploring the city
Important note: Lyft is a popular ride-share service, but they do not allow minors to ride unaccompanied.
Uber for teens
Teen accounts on Uber allow for teenagers to request their own rides through the app. Uber assures parents that teens will always be matched with highly rated drivers, and parents can follow along every step of the way with live trip tracking and real-time status updates. Safety features like PIN verification and RideCheck are also always turned on. Teen accounts are linked to your family profile and on-file card.
Safety features:
- Teens are always matched with highly rated drivers
- Follow along every step of the way with real-time tracking and status updates
- All teen trips are destination locked
- PIN verification and RideCheck are always turned on
- Able to call 911, contact uber support, and report an issue through the app
Tips for parents with teens using rideshare:
Always verify driver and car details
The Uber app will always tell you the name of their driver, the type of car they’re looking out for and the license plate number. HopSkipDrive will do the same. Make sure you verify all information before your teen hops in the car. Doing a quick Google search of the car model can be helpful. Teach your teen to do this as well.
Make sure you’re aware of in-app safety features
Each app has slightly different resources for both you and your teen to use before, during and after a ride. Make sure you know what they are. Uber has a great guide you can go through to familiarize yourself with their teen account features.
Keep your phone on hand
You’ll be sent real-time updates about how your teen’s ride is going. When they arrive, consider checking in to verify everything went smoothly.
No sharing personal information
Teach your teen to avoid giving out their school name, address, daily routines, or any other personal information to drivers.
Have a backup plan
Make sure teens know who to call if a ride gets canceled or delayed — especially at night or in unfamiliar areas.
from Metro Parent https://ift.tt/KCFEws4
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