No, your rider does not need a phone to use HopSkipDrive. As a caregiver, you will receive updates about the ride via text, and can monitor the ride using the Caregiver app, but the process is designed so that the rider does not need an app to use HopSkipDrive. You can learn more about the identity verification process here.
However, if your rider has a phone, adding a phone number to their profile will allow them to receive text updates about their rides as well as a link to the Track My Ride page to see ride information in real time. Learn more about how to add a phone number to a rider profile here.