Rider Assistants are adults who ride alongside riders who need a little extra support. As a Rider Assistant, you’ll meet the CareDriver at a designated location and pick up the rider together in the CareDriver’s vehicle. During the ride, you’ll sit in the back seat with the rider. At the end of the ride you’ll be returned to the place you met the CareDriver.
Claiming Rides
Once you are certified as a Rider Assistant, a representative from HopSkipDrive’s Specialty Transportation Team will call you when rides are available in your area. If you choose to claim the ride(s), you’ll be scheduled as the Rider Assistant.
Your ride schedule and notifications
When you are assigned as the Rider Assistant for a ride, we’ll send you a text message. The text message will include the date, time, and meeting location for the ride. If this is your first route, you will also be invited to the scheduling app that is used to provide you with visibility to your upcoming schedule.
If any changes are made to the ride time or location, you’ll receive a text message with the updated information.
On the day of the ride, we'll send you a text message 90 minutes before the ride starts. If you cannot complete the ride as scheduled, call the number in the text message right away.
To help you track ride progress, we’ll also send you a text message with a link to a web page where you can view relevant ride information and track the ride in real time on a map. Expect to receive this text message 60-90 minutes before the ride starts.
Finally, we'll send a text message when the CareDriver arrives to pick you up.
Completing a ride
Learn about each part of the ride as a Rider Assistant.
Before the ride
Plan ahead: as the day and time of your ride approaches, check the time and address so you can plan to leave on time to arrive promptly. You can find that information in the confirmation text message from HopSkipDrive.
Track the ride: the CareDriver will check in between 90 and 60 minutes before the ride starts. As soon as the CareDriver checks in, you’ll be able to see the ride status on the ride tracking page. Once the CareDriver starts driving, you can see their real-time location on the map. You’ll receive a link to the ride tracking page for each individual ride via text message.
Learn about the rider: to help you prepare for the ride, tap Learn about the rider you’re supporting to read the rider notes. These are notes added by the Ride Organizer and may contain helpful information about the rider’s needs or preferences. Some riders may not have notes.
Meeting the CareDriver
Drive to the ride location to meet the CareDriver at the listed time. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to ensure you’re able to meet the CareDriver promptly.
Once you’re at the ride location, park your car and wait for the CareDriver. Check the ride tracking page for information about the CareDriver’s vehicle, their name, and their picture. Use the map to view the CareDriver's current location. The CareDriver will have your name and picture as well, to help you find each other.
Once you have located the CareDriver, you’ll drive to pick up the rider in their vehicle.
Having trouble finding the CareDriver? If the ride tracking page shows that the CareDriver has arrived at pickup but you can’t find each other, tap Contact to call the CareDriver.
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Picking up the rider
When you arrive at pickup, the CareDriver will confirm the rider’s identity using a secret code word and the rider’s birth date. Greet the rider and sit in the back seat with them. Please ensure you follow HopSkipDrive’s physical contact policies when assisting the rider.
During the ride
During the ride, your role is to support the rider as needed. This can include:
- Engaging child safety locks once the rider is inside the car.
- Reinforcing positive behavior during the ride.
You can also reference the rider notes on the ride tracking page, which may have more information about the rider’s needs and preferences.
Rider drop-off and returning to your vehicle
When you arrive at the rider’s destination, the CareDriver will drop off the rider, following any instructions listed in the CareDriver app. After drop-off is complete, the CareDriver will drive you back to your vehicle.