For those of us who have children, you know the daily struggle of getting up in the morning and having to get your children all set for their day, not to mention your day. There’s breakfast to be made, lunches to be packed, children to bath and dress. You finally bundle them all into the car, to be greeted with traffic and all those other ‘happy’ drivers struggling to drop their kids off too.

After facing these mini-battles’ head on and nice ‘n early, you now have to get yourself to work and face your day (this is assuming everything has gone according to plan and you are on time, but let’s face it when does that ever happen?) Thankfully, Rubix can help with one of these tasks and help you and your family start your day with a bit more ease.

Public transport is more readily available in South Africa and we are all familiar with taxis and Putco buses. But, as most of us will agree, buses aren’t always reliable and well, taxis are a whole different issue entirely. So when it comes to your kids transport needs, what are your options?

Thankfully student and scholar transport is a safe and viable option in getting your children to and from school and activities. However, there are a few things to consider when choosing a provider to carry your precious loved ones.

How do I know my children will be safe ?

Safety is, and should be, the first concern regarding your children. If you are looking for one of these services, you are far better off going with an established company with a decent reputation. These have generally been tried and tested by the public and if they are still in business, they must be doing something right. These companies usually have the resources to deliver service at an industry standard. If at any moment you need to contact the company, there will usually be an office administrator available to attend to your needs. Some providers also offer on-board cameras in the vehicles, child minders for younger children during the journey and first aid training in case of an emergency.  Another important component to consider is the driver of the vehicle. Quite possibly the most important  part of the whole equation. The larger companies tend to have the capital and ability to train their drivers above and beyond than simply having a valid drivers license.

How much will this cost me?

It may seem like the larger providers, while having more resources, will have more overheads which in turn, makes the cost higher at the end of the day. While this is true to a degree, the average prices won’t break the bank. Some providers even offer rewards program or discounted rates on trips during specific times or according to locations. When looking at a transporter, one shouldn’t solely look at the cost, but rather what you get in terms of your child’s safety.

How reliable are these services?

This kind of service means nothing if it’s not reliable, on time and safe. Many smaller shuttle service providers have developed due to a need for a second source of income and this can at times lead to unreliability. While the larger providers have made it their business to get your children to their destination safely. They have a higher stake in the game.  If their reputation falls, so will their clients and eventually their bottom line.

What about convenience and flexibility?

As far as convenience goes, ad hoc services are also offered by some of these providers for those unplanned moments. Some providers offer a direct line to the driver of the shuttle so you can always be in contact with them. Drop off notifications are provided by some and these provide peace of mind knowing that your child has arrived safely.

This is a lot to take in.

Trusting another person with your child’s safety is never going to be an easy decision. All you can do is be well informed about what options are out there and who you can trust. Ultimately your peace of mind will only be appeased once you have either seen for yourself or heard from a source you trust.

Download our handy checklist of the key points mentioned in this blog so that you can make an informed decision about your child’s transport.

Disclaimer: This research and comparison was conducted independently. The two comparisons to Rubix Shuttles and Transfers is a large service provider and an average of the unbranded independent transport providers.