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  • What is ShuttleCub?
    ShuttleCub is a child transportation service designed to help busy NYC parents get their kids safely and reliably to school, activities, playdates, and more. You tell us what you need, and we will match you with a reliable "Bear" to safely escort your kids where they need to be - on time, every time.
  • What ages do you serve?
    We specialize in transporting school-aged children, starting at 6 years old.
  • Where does ShuttleCub operate?
    For now, ShuttleCub is primarily focused on serving families in Manhattan, where our dedicated Bears provide reliable transportation for those living, working, or whose children attend school in the area. This allows us to foster hyper-local trust and community first. That said, depending on Bear availability, we may occasionally extend service to the outer boroughs to accommodate specific requests.
  • When does ShuttleCub operate?
    ShuttleCub operates every weekday during regular hours of 8 am to 8 pm. That said, based on demand, we have introduced special hours — 6 to 8 am and 8 to 10 pm — to ensure maximum flexibility for families. Plus, we're now extending operations on weekends to make it even easier to keep up with activities and outings. Whatever your needs, ShuttleCub is here to support your family’s busy schedule as best as we can!
  • Who are the Bears?
    Our Bears are thoroughly vetted, background-checked, and trained individuals who provide safe and dependable transportation for children. They escort kids via foot, subway, bus, taxi, or car service based on your needs. Bears are typically people who have flexible daytime schedules. They maintain the autonomy to only pick up runs they want / that their schedule permits. Check out our Bear Spotlight here!
  • How do I schedule a run and what does the whole process look like?
    All first-time families must create an account profile before scheduling their first run. While our app is in development, here's how to schedule a run: 1. Simply let us know your child’s shuttle needs via our Google Form, Text/Whatsapp (646) 920-4574, or Email info@shuttlecub.com , and we’ll match your run with a trusted Bear Runner. Run details must include: Time | Location | Child | Mode of Travel | Specific Instructions for each stop of the run. 2. Once a Bear has picked up your run, and you have confirmed the Bear, your run is officially confirmed, and you will receive a calendar invite with run details embedded. 3. The day before your run, a WhatsApp chat group will be initiated between you & the Bear, to confirm final run details and enable pre/during-run communications. 4. Throughout the journey, you will receive notifications from the Bear as well as a real-time GPS tracking link, to provide you with peace of mind knowing where your cub is at any point during the run. 5. You will receive a final invoice within 12 hours of run completion. 6. You make payment via Venmo (@shuttlecub) or Zelle (charleen@shuttlecub.com).
  • How much does it cost?
    * Standard Run: $40 per hour during our regular hours (8am - 8pm), with a one-hour minimum. Runs extending beyond an hour are billed in 15- minute increments. * Special Hours: $60 per hour during 6–8 am and 8–10 pm. * Last-Minute Requests: Runs requested with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged at $60 per hour. * Additional: Optional budgets for snacks, taxis, or car services can be pre- approved by parents and will be added to your invoice with receipts uploaded for full transparency.​
  • How do I pay?
    Invoices are sent after each run, and payments can be made via Venmo (@shuttlecub) or Zelle (charleen@shuttlecub.com).
  • Can I change details of a run?
    Email us at info@shuttlecub.com as soon as you know you need to change your submitted run details. There is no extra charge if you make changes to a run with a start time > 24 hours away. However, we charge a penalty of $15 per change if you make changes to a run with start time < 24 hours away AND the change involves a run time change of >60 minutes, because this either inconveniences the confirmed Bear in terms of scheduling, or we need to scramble to find you a new Bear at the last minute. For example:
  • Can I cancel a run?
    There is no penalty for cancelling runs > 24 hours from the run start time. However, runs cancelled within 24 hours of the run start time will result in a full forfeit of the run base cost.
  • Can I schedule a recurring run?
    Absolutely! We know life is full of routines—whether it's piano lessons, soccer practice, or that standing Tuesday ice cream tradition (priorities!). To make things easier, customers can schedule recurring runs up to six months in advance. Whenever possible, we strive to provide consistency and match families with familiar Bears to build trust and familiarity. However, since our Bears have full autonomy to choose the runs that fit their schedules, we may not always be able to match families with the same Bear.
  • Can I request the same Bear every time?
    You can request up to 3 preferred bears when you submit a run. Whenever possible, we will strive to provide consistency and match families with familiar Bears to build trust and familiarity. However, as we give our Bears full autonomy to pick the runs they want / their schedule permits, please understand that we may not always be able to match families with the same Bear.
  • Can my child's friends who are going to the same stops join the run?
    For safety and manageability reasons, we allow a maximum of 3 Cubs to be escorted by a single Bear on a run. Cubs may come from different households, and we term these runs "Multi-Household Runs". Terms & conditions for such runs: - Run stops must be exactly the same for all Cubs (i.e., no separate stops for some Cubs & not others) - The primary parent submits & confirms the run request and is responsible for full run payment on behalf of the group - Each Cub family involved must set up a ShuttleCub account profile, not just the Primary parent. - Because each additional child adds complexity, heightens vigilance, coordination and responsibility, pricing for a Multi-Household Run is as follows:
  • How do you ensure safety?
    Safety is our top priority and a core pillar of the ShuttleCub philosophy. Every Bear Runner is background checked, personally vetted and trained. All runs are tracked with real-time notifications.
  • What if something unexpected happens during a run?
    ShuttleCub has contingency plans & standby teams in place to handle any situation. To the best of our ability, our dedicated team ensures that your child is always safe, comfortable, and arrives at their destination as planned, barring circumstances beyond our control.
  • How can I get started with ShuttleCub?
    If you're ready to submit a run, use our simple Google Form to tell us what you need. You can also text/Whatsapp us at (646) 920-4574, or email us at info@shuttlecub.com. Alternatively, sign up your family on our 'Contact' page and learn more about our services. We will reach out within 24 hours to answer your questions and better understand your needs!
  • Who can become a Bear?
    Bears are personable, responsible, and highly dependable individuals who are passionate about supporting families and ensuring children's safety. They undergo a thorough vetting process, including background checks, trial runs and interviews, before joining the ShuttleCub Bear community. Bear Requirements: - Live in New York City or immediate vicinity - Extensive knowledge of and ability to get around New York City - Pass a comprehensive background check - Pass an interview and complete an onboarding process - Pass trial ShuttleCub runs to prove timeliness, reliability and a strong sense of care and responsibility
  • Do Bears have a set schedule?
    Bears set their own schedule and can decide which runs they are able to take on. Some runs may be requested well in advance, while others may be requested on short notice. ShuttleCub works to match Bears with families in a way that is consistent and convenient for all parties. Bears maintain the autonomy and flexibility to choose which runs they want to / can accept, based on their schedule & other commitments.
  • How does payment work?
    Bears are compensated for their time based on the total duration of completed runs. Details about payment rates (Bears earn a percentage of what parents pay) are provided during onboarding. We will always compensate our Bears as fairly as we can, while managing overhead costs associated with operating ShuttleCub, including legal, insurance & technology costs. Bears are paid within 24 hours of run completion, and have a choice of receiving payments via Venmo/Zelle.
  • What happens if an unexpected issue arises during a run?
    ShuttleCub has contingency plans and standby teams in place to address any unexpected situations. Bears are trained to handle different scenarios professionally & efficiently. Bears can contact ShuttleCub support whenever needed - we've got your back! That said, Bears do have a legal duty of care to ensure the safety and well-being of the children under their care during a run.
  • How do I get started as a Bear?
    If you're interested in joining the ShuttleCub team, reach out to us via our 'contact' page to begin the application process.
Bears FAQ
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