SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

HopSkipDrive Raises $25M to Expand Operations, Invest in Vehicle Electrification

The funding will be used to support 30 new market launches and vehicle electrification initiatives for the company, which provides customized transportation service to children.

by SBF Staff
August 11, 2021
HopSkipDrive Raises $25M to Expand Operations, Invest in Vehicle Electrification

HopSkipDrive has raised $25 million to invest in vehicle electrification initiatives and expand its operations, which provide customized transportation service to children.

Photo courtesy HopSkipDrive

2 min to read


Child ridesharing company HopSkipDrive has raised $25 million to expand its operations, which provide customized transportation service to children.

The funding, from Energy Impact Partners, Keyframe Capital, FirstMark Capital, and 1776 Ventures, will support various expansion projects, including vehicle electrification initiatives and 30 new market launches, according to a news release from HopSkipDrive.

Ad Loading...

“School transportation is the largest mass transit system in the U.S., and it’s reaching a breaking point,” said Joanna McFarland, co-founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive. “With critical bus driver shortages and increased individualized needs, school districts are being forced to optimize learning around logistics. We are reshaping school transportation by complementing traditional yellow bus solutions so districts can instead optimize their logistics around learning.”

Founded in 2014, HopSkipDrive has partnered with over 300 schools, school districts, and counties in nine states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and the Washington D.C. region.

Currently, 19% of HopSkipDrive's vehicles are hybrid or electric vehicles (EVs). In Seattle, one of HopSkipDrive’s largest markets, over 40% of HopSkipDrive's vehicles are hybrid or EVs.

“We are excited and proud to lead this funding round. As a VC fund specializing in the clean energy transition, we believe in HopSkipDrive’s mission and the way green initiatives are at the forefront of what they do,” said Cassie Bowe, principal of Energy Impact Partners. “HopSkipDrive is creating a nationwide student transportation platform that is not only reshaping school transportation to bring more equitable access to education, but also creating an accelerated path to electrification.”

More Management

The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
SponsoredMarch 19, 2026

All About Cooperative Purchasing: A Guide for School Transportation Pros

Stop bidding everything and try a simpler way. Here's how cooperative purchasing can streamline purchases while maintaining compliance. Sourcewell breaks down the process in this episode of The Route, sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Yellow school bus on road with “Company Update” graphic and EverDriven logo announcing school bus routing services
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 19, 2026

EverDriven Launches New School Bus Routing Services

The alternative transportation company expands its services to traditional yellow buses with the launch of a new division focused on helping school districts optimize their routes.

Read More →
Joshua Roberts of First Student Inc. recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot with the School Bus Fleet Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Joshua Roberts of First Student

Roberts, 35, serves as the lead IT application engineer for vehicle electrification at First Student, where he helps shape scalable, real-world EV infrastructure to support student transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Quavion Swazer of Puyallup School District recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, pictured in a headshot with the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Quavion Swazer of Puyallup School District

Swazer, 29, serves as director of transportation at Puyallup School District, where he champions student wellbeing and inspires the next generation of industry leaders.

Read More →
Katia Dubas of IMMI recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot alongside the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Katia Dubas of IMMI

Dubas, 38, serves as sales manager and safety advocate at IMMI, where she advances school bus occupant protection through industry education, OEM collaboration, and proactive safety policy efforts.

Read More →
Eric Kramlick of TransPar Group recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot alongside the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Amanda HuggettMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Eric Kramlick of TransPar

Kramlick, 30, runs operations for TransPar in Hawaii, where he also showed dedication while helping Maui recover from the recent wildfires.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Jonquez Moore of Little Elm ISD recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot with the School Bus Fleet Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Amanda HuggettMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Jonquez Moore of Little Elm ISD

Moore, 32, grew up around the school bus, leading him to the classroom and eventually inspiring high-performing teams while bringing operations in house (twice).

Read More →
Joshua Baran of Odyssey Charter School recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, pictured in a headshot next to the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Joshua Baran of Odyssey Charter School

Baran, 38, serves as transportation supervisor at Odyssey Charter School in Delaware, where he leads daily operations with a focus on safety and professional growth.

Read More →
Tyler Maybee of Denver Public Schools recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, shown in a headshot with the U.S. Capitol in the background and the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Tyler Maybee of Denver Public Schools

Maybee, 36, leads transportation operations for Denver Public Schools, where he is advancing equity, efficiency, and cross-department collaboration to improve student access.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Lexi Higgins of Truckers Against Trafficking recognized as a 2026 School Bus Fleet Trailblazers winner, pictured in a headshot with the Trailblazers award graphic.
Managementby Elora HaynesMarch 18, 2026

2026 Trailblazer: Lexi Higgins of TAT

Higgins, 38, serves as director of industry engagement at TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking), where she equips school transportation professionals with the tools to recognize and report human trafficking.

Read More →