Starting carpool and/or contracting a van and driver

[Anonymous]

We, along with 2 other families in my neighborhood, are sending kids to a school in another neighborhood next year. Five kids total. We are probably going to carpool and wondered if anyone had suggestions for apps to coordinate “shifts” and if we need to do anything specific for insurance or power of attorney in case of accidents. Tips for keeping the kids occupied and not fighting welcome too (lol?).

If we are able to find another family or two with kids in our area that are attending this year or next, enough for some kind of critical mass to make it affordable, I have heard some groups have contracted a vetted bus driver and van for drop offs and pickups. Anyone here do that before? What were the costs and process?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I think that you are overthinking the carpool. Carpools are usually fairly informal and I have never heard of anyone worrying about insurance or power of attorney. Kids get rides to practice, parties, etc all the time without the above. The same applies to scheduling apps. Parents just work it out among themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that you are overthinking the carpool. Carpools are usually fairly informal and I have never heard of anyone worrying about insurance or power of attorney. Kids get rides to practice, parties, etc all the time without the above. The same applies to scheduling apps. Parents just work it out among themselves.

Well this would be to share the one vehicle that is big enough to transport 5 kids as well, so there are, in fact, insurance concerns. And sorry, but six working parents with daily schedule constraints and occasional work travel can’t just work it out on a daily basis. I know we can’t be alone in not being able to be casual about this.

[Anonymous]

I don’t live in the DC area but parents set up this company to provide rides for their kids to school. https://www.aschoolride.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that you are overthinking the carpool. Carpools are usually fairly informal and I have never heard of anyone worrying about insurance or power of attorney. Kids get rides to practice, parties, etc all the time without the above. The same applies to scheduling apps. Parents just work it out among themselves.

Well this would be to share the one vehicle that is big enough to transport 5 kids as well, so there are, in fact, insurance concerns. And sorry, but six working parents with daily schedule constraints and occasional work travel can’t just work it out on a daily basis. I know we can’t be alone in not being able to be casual about this.

That’s a big detail to leave out! Are you buying it together or what?

[Anonymous]

It’s owned by one family (older car but reliable). Other 2 families will pay for gas and towards insurance. Adults from all families will take turns driving on set days, hence my wondering if there is an app well suited to having a “team” calendar where we could trade shifts if someone has a meeting or is on travel. Looking at Slack right now but feel like there should be some app specifically for carpools (school or sports or even commuting).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that you are overthinking the carpool. Carpools are usually fairly informal and I have never heard of anyone worrying about insurance or power of attorney. Kids get rides to practice, parties, etc all the time without the above. The same applies to scheduling apps. Parents just work it out among themselves.

Well this would be to share the one vehicle that is big enough to transport 5 kids as well, so there are, in fact, insurance concerns. And sorry, but six working parents with daily schedule constraints and occasional work travel can’t just work it out on a daily basis. I know we can’t be alone in not being able to be casual about this.

Good grief.

It wouldn’t be a constant daily negotiation. It would be like family A drives on Monday and Tuesday, family B drives Wednesday and Thursday, Family C drives Friday and any sick days. THEN the only other communication you need is if some is sick traveling or otherwise unavailable.

It’s not that hard.