Uber for KIDS: New ride sharing service with nannies as drivers launches

Although many parents feel they are already offering a private taxi firm for their kids, a san Francisco firm hopes to offer a ride sharing service just for children.
Called Shuddle, all of its drivers are experienced childcare experts, and parents can track their entire journey.

Launching initially in San Francisco, the company charges parents a monthly subscription of $9 plus fares for individual rides, which are able to be booked up to a week in advance.


Called Shuddle, all of the apps drivers are experienced childcare experts, and parents can track their entire journey, and see details of the driver.

The firm was set up by parents fed up of ferrying their own children.

'We are a group of moms, dads and technologists who have developed a way for you to get some of that time back.

'As parents, we know how precious your cargo is and how important an extra thirty minutes in your day can be.'

The company says that for each ride, parents will be sent the driver's full name, photo, a short biography and a description of their car.

According to Recode, Shuddle's drivers will be required to have experience of childcare and pass a 'thorough' background check before starting work, with the 100 drivers hired so far all women.

'We screen for friendly and reliable caregivers who have experience working with kids like nannies, teachers, babysitters, counsellors and parents,' explains Shuddle on its website.

Shuddle is not an on-demand service, and rides must be booked in advance.
The company charges parents a monthly subscription of $9 plus fares for individual rides,
which are able to be booked up to a week in advance.

It promises fees will be lower than a taxi.
Parents can track their offspring at all times.

'We understand that safety is top of mind for parents.

'We secured custom insurance with unique inclusions for kids, vetted kid-friendly drivers in your area, and have live customer support available for every ride.

'As technologists, we believe in creating a smart, safe and transparent service that adds convenience to everyday lives.

The company is backed by $2.6m of venture capital funding.

The service can ferry children around on their own
'The human element is important,' founder Nick Allen, who also set up grown up ridesharing firm Sidecar,  told Recode

'Yes, we make an app, but this is your most precious cargo and we take that very seriously,' .
Launching initially in San Francisco, the company charges parents a monthly subscription of $9 plus fares for individual rides, which are able to be booked up to a week in advance.

'Life is busier these days—especially for families. There's work and there's school. Then there's after school (and after-after school).,' the firm says.

'At the end of any given week you might feel more like a taxi than a parent, with quality time often equaling a quick conversation between traffic lights.'

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