New Rideshare-for-Kids Coming to San Diego

With back-to-school season in full swing, the parents of San Diego will be happy to hear that an extra set of helping hands is now available, thanks to the Kango App. This new app, which officially launched in San Diego on Monday, connects local parents with vetted, experienced drivers to get kids to school, practice, tutoring and other activities. Additionally, the app also allows parents to schedule childcare either before or after a ride, or as a standalone service.

The Kango ride service will start running on September 23rd, but parents can download the app and begin scheduling rides and childcare now.

“We are so excited to connect with the community in San Diego,” Kango’s co-founder and CEO, Sara Schaer, told Patch. “Our goal is to help busy families get where they need to go, with the highest levels of trust and safety. We've been hearing from parents in the San Diego area for the past few years, and are looking forward to officially launching on September 23. Parents can download the app now and can even schedule future rides.”

Kango, which started in San Francisco and is also available in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, is sometimes called an “Uber for Kids.” In reality, the company is much different. Services like Uber and Lyft, as recent reports share, are not insured and licensed to drive minors. Parents who are stuck in a bind will occasionally call these services anyways, but risk suspension from the app for violating the policy. Uber and Lyft drivers also face consequences for accepting minors as riders. Schaer, a working mom herself, created Kango out of necessity and understands the need for trust and safety.

Unlike other rideshare companies, Kango drivers must meet a strict set of requirements, including previous childcare experience. The drivers and sitters are also interviewed and go through TrustLine certification, which includes background checks through Department of Justice and FBI databases, as well as fingerprinting. Families can meet their drivers for free before the first ride, and can request favorite drivers as well so kids are always comfortable. Thus, drivers end up becoming more like trusted nannies as they become incorporated into daily routines and alleviate carpool stress.

“If any parents have questions on what Kango is or how our ridesharing service operates, we encourage them to reach out,” said Schaer. Contact information is available here.

The Kango app is available in the Apple App Store and the Android Google Play Store. To book rides or a driver meet-and-greet, simply download the free app, sign up for the service and input details. The Kango team will then connect you with its local vetted drivers to fulfill the request.

If parents or caretakers are also interested in driving for Kango, the rideshare service boasts driver earnings of $35/hour and offers flexible scheduling options. Interested drivers and sitters can apply here.