1. We Are a Technology Platform & Software Intermediary

Scholar Rides is a digital platform and software intermediary that connects parents seeking school transport with independent transport operators and registered commercial fleet businesses.

Scholar Rides is NOT a public transport operator, bus company, or carrier:

  1. Scholar Rides does not own, lease, or operate any passenger vehicles, minibuses, or scholar shuttles.
  2. Scholar Rides does not employ drivers as transport staff or domestic workers.
  3. Scholar Rides does not directly provide the physical transportation of children.

2. The Contract of Carriage is Directly Between You and Your Transporter

When you select a driver and confirm a transport contract through the app:

  1. The legal agreement for the physical transport of your child (the Contract of Carriage) is entered into directly between you (the parent/guardian) and the verified independent driver or registered fleet operator.
  2. The transporter is an independent contractor or commercial transport entity operating their own licensed vehicles under South African law.

3. What Scholar Rides Provides

While we do not drive vehicles, Scholar Rides provides the modern technology infrastructure that makes school transport safe, transparent, and manageable:

  1. Vetting & Document Verification: We collect and review Professional Driving Permits (PrDP), Police Clearances, and annual Roadworthiness (COR) and Fitness (COF) certificates before clearing drivers on the platform.
  2. Vehicle Seat Capacity Enforcement: Every vehicle profile has an administrator-verified seat cap to prevent overloading. Routes automatically lock when full.
  3. Real-Time Safety & GPS Tracking: Live location streaming via Pusher WebSockets, moving vehicle markers, and dynamic arrival ETAs.
  4. Electronic Manifests & Absence Syncing: Automated manifests for drivers with instant notification of parent-reported skip days and absences.