RideZum

What: Zum, through the RideZum app, enlists people with experience working with children to drive kids to and from school, sports and other activities, and, occasionally, babysit. 

Expected pay: $20+ per hour

Husl $core: $$$$

Where: California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Washington State, Washington D.C., and Illinois. (Zum’s footprint here)  

Requirements:

• At least 21 years old
• 3 years or more experience working with children
• Driving experience and a clean driving record
• Own a 2006 or newer four door vehicle in great condition
• Pass a background check

Zum Review:

The RideZum app connects experienced drivers with parents of school children, who need a lift to or from class and after-school activities. The site, which goes by Zum, also occasionally arranges for its drivers to babysit until parents can arrive.

Zum says they pay drivers more than the other apps. However, their pay formula is opaque. Drivers say they get paid between $20 and $30 per ride, but the ride may be 10 or 15 miles away from home. 

That said, Zum drivers don’t need to worry about as many safety issues as those who drive for Uber or Lyft. You’re driving mostly in daylight hours. And, though your passengers may sometimes be cranky, they’re unlikely to drunk or armed. 

When parents are late, requiring drivers to babysit until they arrive, the site pays by the quarter hour. (Parents pay $6 per 15 minutes, or $24 per hour, but the driver is likely to get just a portion of that.)

Employee reviews are mixed. In the San Francisco Bay area, where Zum got its start, most reviews are positive, with drivers lauding the good pay and ample work. Where the site is less established, drivers complain that rides can be scarce and the support staff disorganized.

Other companies offering the similar opportunities include HopSkipDrive and Kango. 

What Zum drivers say:

“After being a stay at home mom for 15 years, Zum provided an opportunity to return to the workplace and utilize my caregiving skills. I am happy to be working with kids and helping families with their transportation needs while earning money. I enjoy the flexible schedule and the chance to meet up with other drivers on meet-ups to exchange ideas and feel very supported by management. They offer some incentive programs to increase your earnings, too.”

For the most part I am enjoying my first week driving for ZUM! There seem to be some kinks, things that need to be worked out, but overall, good. I am hoping to have this become my regular retirement job for the next few years.

Finally got regular rides and kids that said I was their “favorite” and their “regular” but went on vacay for a week in Hawaii with my family and now I can’t get a ride.

*Updated 2/20/2022