A new Hingham startup is preparing to launch a transportation service for children next month after receiving local approval to operate, becoming one of a growing number of companies focused exclusively on transporting children to school, camps and extracurricular activities.
Loop plans to begin full operations Aug. 1 after several weeks of testing its service with local families. The company, led by CEO Liz Klein, is starting in Hingham with plans to evaluate expansion into neighboring South Shore communities if the model proves successful.
The launch follows a June 16 vote by the Hingham Select Board approving the limousine license required for Loop to operate. Klein, who also serves as chair of the Select Board, recused herself from both the discussion and vote because of her role with the company. The remaining board members approved the license 2-0, authorizing Loop to operate through Dec. 31, 2026.
Loop was founded by Judd Hoffman, Sean Brundage and Dave Dressler to address what they described as the growing challenge families face coordinating transportation to school, sports, camps and other activities. During the Select Board hearing, Vice President of Operations Charles Vacey said the company was created to provide a transportation option designed specifically for children.
"The venture is called Loop Shuttle and Loop is a dedicated local ride service designed specifically for kids," Vacey said. "We are trying to address the challenges the parents [and] caregivers have in getting all their kids to overly scheduled lives."
The company is launching with two vehicles and expects to add a third immediately, with plans for a fourth later this summer. Klein said Loop is also recruiting between 10 and 20 drivers as operations ramp up.
Unlike traditional rideshare companies, Loop owns its vehicles and hires drivers as employees rather than relying on independent contractors. Klein said the company operates as a livery service rather than a rideshare platform, a distinction that affects how it is regulated in Massachusetts.
Child-focused transportation services have expanded in several parts of the country as families increasingly juggle school schedules, athletics, camps and other activities. Companies including HopSkipDrive and Zum operate in larger metropolitan areas, while Loop is beginning with a community-focused model centered on Hingham.
Safety has become a growing focus throughout the transportation industry. A July report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that while millions of Americans use rideshare services each year, available federal data do not provide a complete picture of assaults involving drivers and passengers. The report also noted that rideshare companies have continued adding safety measures, including identity verification, trip monitoring and emergency assistance features.
Massachusetts requires rideshare drivers to complete state background screening that includes reviews of criminal history, driving records, outstanding warrants and the state's sex offender registry before receiving clearance to drive. Loop said its drivers will also be required to obtain a Massachusetts 7D school pupil transport certificate, the credential commonly required for transporting schoolchildren in smaller vehicles, along with fingerprinting and additional company background screening.
During the Select Board hearing, Brundage said the company intentionally built its hiring model around local drivers.
"One of the hyper focuses that we're doing right now with this company is the locally vetted drivers, completely background checked and fingerprinted," he said.
Parents create family profiles through the company's app, determine whether children can request rides independently and receive notifications when rides are requested, begin and end. Vehicles are equipped with onboard cameras, and the company has implemented check-in and check-out procedures intended to verify that children are entering the correct vehicle.
Klein said one early surprise has been the demand for recurring transportation rather than one-time rides.
"The scheduled reoccurring rides seem to be more popular than we had originally thought," she said. "So I think that will end up being a large part of the business actually."
The company enters the market as work and family schedules continue to evolve. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 66.3% of married-couple families with children had both parents employed in 2025, while at least one parent worked in 97.4% of those households.
Loop tested the platform with local families before launch and has begun operating trial trips to destinations outside Hingham, including camps at Cohasset Sports Center and Union Point, as well as Nantasket Beach. Klein said more than 150 people responded to an early community survey, and one of the most common requests has been expanding service beyond Hingham.
The company expects on-demand rides to begin at a base fare of $25 for trips covering most of Hingham, with additional charges for longer distances. Klein said Loop is also developing discounted pricing for scheduled group transportation, including recurring rides to camps and other activities. As the company begins operations, Klein said the initial focus will be on refining the service in Hingham before evaluating expansion into additional South Shore communities.