A new company in Troy, Kidz Cab Trips​, provides Uber-like transportation for children to and from school and extra-curricular activities.
Aireal Taylor, founder of Kidz Cab Trips, thought of the idea while taking a class at Oakland Community College in 2014, and launched the business last month. Kidz Cab Trips has three drivers and services Troy and a 30-mile radius surrounding the city.
“We pick up from home and take (the children) to school,” Taylor says. “We can pick up from school and take them back home or any after school activities. I have a couple of kids that get dropped off at their parents’ work or their grandmother’s house at the end of the school day.”
Taylor says Kidz Cab Trips services kids ages 4 to 16 years old. All of the vehicles are company-owned, and drivers go through two interviews, a criminal background check, drug and alcohol testing, and an in-house training program.
The rides cost $15 for up to 10 miles, $20 for 11 to 20 miles, and $25 for 21 to 30 miles. While the company is completely booked for the fall semester, Taylor says next year, she’s looking at purchasing 15-passenger vehicles. She also says she’s been in talks with the Boys and Girls Club of Troy and the two high schools to offer rides.
“From there, we’re going to try to grow more into having stations in different cities,” Taylor says. “Right now, we’re pretty much driving all over. So having bases in the different cities I think will help.”
