What to check before you choose school transport for your child
Driver verification, live tracking, boarding alerts and who else shares the car. The questions worth asking any provider before the first ride.
The first shared ride is a small milestone, for your child and for you. A little preparation makes the first morning feel ordinary rather than new, and that’s the goal.
What a shared ride looks like
In a MetroRide Kids shared car, your child rides with up to 3 other children and the driver. No other adults travel in a shared car. Telling your child this in advance helps: they know who to expect, and that every other passenger is a child like them.
The night before
- Walk them through the morning step by step: getting ready, waiting at the gate, getting in, arriving at school.
- Pack the bag and lay out the uniform so the morning is calm.
- Agree what to do if something feels wrong: tell the driver, and tell you afterwards. Make it clear they won’t be in trouble for speaking up.
Pickup: be ready at the start of your slot
Pickups happen in 15-minute slots, and once the car arrives the driver waits 3 minutes. For the first week, have your child ready at the gate at the very start of the slot. It keeps the ride on time for the other children, and it means your child isn’t rushed into the car.
What you’ll see on your phone
- A boarding alert when your child gets in.
- The car’s location on live GPS, with geofencing.
- Live video from inside the car, so you can see the ride, not just the route.
A few car rules worth saying out loud
- Seatbelt on, and stay seated until the car stops.
- Hands and head inside the car.
- Be kind to the other children. Everyone is going somewhere.
- If you need something, ask the driver.
If your child is nervous
Some children settle into a shared ride straight away; others need a few days. If yours is anxious, consider starting with a private ride, where one guardian may ride along, and moving to a shared car once the routine feels familiar.
After the first ride
Ask open questions: “Who did you sit next to?” or “What did you see on the way?” work better than “Was it okay?” Small details tell you how it really went, and talking about it makes the second ride easier.
Questions parents ask
Can I ride along with my child?
In a shared car, no adults travel other than the driver. In a private car, one guardian may ride along.
How long does the driver wait at pickup?
Pickups use 15-minute slots, and once the car arrives the driver waits 3 minutes.
How will I know my child has boarded?
MetroRide Kids sends a boarding alert to your phone when your child gets in, and you can follow the ride on live GPS and in-car video.
Book your child’s rides in the MetroRide Kids app
Choose school, tuition or activity rides, pick a plan and track every ride live. Book before 4 PM to start the next day.
Scan to get the app on your phone