Frequently Asked Questions

How much notice do you need?
What is the primary responsibility of your drivers?
Will you take my child to a destination without me or a babysitter?
Will you wait around and make sure my older child gets inside the apartment?
What if I want to use my own child safety seat?
Can I ride with my child in my arms?
Is food allowed in the vehicles?
Is there any limit to the number of children that can safely ride in a single vehicle?
Can I carpool?
What if you're late?
What if I'm late?
Can I bring a pet?
Can I tell a driver how to get to my destination?
But what if my question isn't listed above?

How much notice do you need?
The most common question we get is the most difficult to answer. As a rule of thumb, the more notice you give us, the better. It is worth mentioning that our busiest times are during school hours (before 9am and between 11am and 1pm) and that we do tend to be a little less busy after 2pm. While we like calls to be scheduled in advance, please give us a ring if your child is having a meltdown and we will tell you when the next available vehicle will arrive. Back to Top

What is the primary responsibility of your drivers?
Our drivers are singularly concerned with ensuring the safety of ALL of our passengers during their trip. This includes the safety of you and your child, as well as the safety of the children that will ride in the vehicle later in the day. ALL of the rules in our vehicles are made with this concern in mind. Drivers have the right to refuse to transport ANY passenger the driver feels may be harmed or contribute to the harming of a child in the future (see Food, Pets). If you ever have a question or concern about any of these rules, please send me an email and I will be happy to discuss it with you. Please know that I have told our drivers that they will be summarily fired for allowing a customer to break any rule that places a current or future passenger in danger. Back to Top

Will you take my child to a destination without me or a babysitter?
The short answer is ‘probably not.’ We will transport unaccompanied minors ONLY IF the child does not require the use of a child safety seat AND you are confident that your child can handle themselves once they reach their intended destination. Our drivers are trained to provide safe and comfortable transport to passengers, but they cannot ensure the safety of the passenger once they leave the vehicle. Back to Top

Will you wait around and make sure my older child gets inside the apartment?
Drivers will wait up to ten minutes at the arrival destination if asked to by the passenger. If, for instance, your child is supposed to meet a friend who has not arrived, the driver will wait up to ten minutes before they have to go to their next destination. If your child is nervous about staying alone, the driver will be happy to take them to another destination (your account will be billed as if it were a carpool). This policy ensures both the safety of the passenger and that Kid Car NY is able to meet the needs of all of its customers. Back to Top

What if I want to use my own child safety seat?
Our drivers will upon request remove the existing seat to accommodate yours. We highly suggest, however, that you use our child safety seat. Why? Because we know everything about our child safety seats. We know that they fit in our vehicles, that they are safe, that they have not been recalled, or been in an accident, and our drivers are fully familiar with their operation.< Back to Top

Can I ride with my child in my arms?
Under no circumstances may a child under the age of seven ride in one of our vehicles while not properly secured in a child safety seat. A driver has the right to refuse service to any passenger if, in the driver's estimation, any passenger is not properly secured (including seat belts for the adults). Back to Top

Is food allowed in the vehicles?
No. You MUST finish all food and beverages (except water) prior to entering the vehicle. While cleanliness is a factor, our primary concern is allergies. Imagine inadvertently getting peanut butter on a car seat that is then transferred to a child who is allergic. The driver may even ask you to use a handy wipe to clean your child before getting into the vehicle. Please do not take offense, and please take comfort that the same request may have been made of the child who used the car seat on the previous trip. Back to Top

Is there any limit to the number of children that can safely ride in a single vehicle?
Kid Car NY can safely transport four passengers per vehicle, up to three of them children requiring a safety seat. This assumes that there is at least one stroller that will prevent the fifth passenger seat from being used. We will make arrangements for instances where you may require an additional vehicle. Back to Top

Can I carpool?
Members pay $15 for intermediate stops to an intended destination (instead of $25). These can come in handy if you want to pick someone up on your way, or need the vehicle to bring you home after dropping your child off at school or practice. We ask that you keep these intermediate stops to 10 minutes or less. Carpooling is not allowed if it results in more than three children riding in the vehicle. Back to Top

What if you’re late?
NYC is a crazy city, and on occasion, we may be late. If we are more than 15 minutes late, you will not be charged for the reserved trip. You will also receive a sincere apology. Please send an email to issue@kidcarny.com with the date and time so that we can credit your account and give you a call. Please try to send the request within 10 days of the trip in question. Back to Top

What if I’m late?
If you are more than 15 minutes late (as determined by the time the Notification Call is made), the vehicle will leave and you will need to make another reservation. The first 2 times this occurs each year, there is no penalty (we understand that children sometimes have different timetables than adults). The third no-show, and every time thereafter, your account will be charged a $10 'waiting' penalty. Consistent no-shows may result in a revocation of membership. Back to Top

Can I bring a pet?
No, for the same reason we don't allow food. Call these guys for your pet. Back to Top

Can I tell a driver how to get to my destination?
Yes. Please keep in mind, however, that no matter how long you have lived in NYC, our drivers receive up-to-the-minute traffic reports and can therefore get you to your intended destination faster and more comfortably if given discretion in choosing the route.

But what if my question isn't listed above?
If I didn't answer your question, please send me an email and I'll follow up with you directly.

Sincerely,
Topher McGibbon