Student van shuttle for local families

Parents of children at private schools, charter schools or distant magnet schools, and sometimes after-school programs or daycare centers.

Monthly or weekly fee per child for a fixed route, with extra charges for one-off trips or activity runs.

• Reliable, careful driving
• Good with children and parents
• Route planning and punctuality
• Clear communication and record keeping

• Rules on carrying children for pay vary widely by state and city, so check whether you need a commercial license, permit or operating authority
• Vehicle size matters: some states treat vans over a certain seat count as school buses with stricter rules
• Commercial insurance, since personal auto policies often exclude paid passenger work
• Background checks, child safety seat rules and parent consent forms
• Income drops during school holidays, so plan your pricing around that

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $25,000, depending on the van you buy or lease and the commercial insurance you need. Personal auto policies often exclude paid passenger work, so check cover first.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on how many families and routes you serve. Income drops during school holidays, so plan your pricing around that.

Check whether you need a commercial license, permit or operating authority, since rules on carrying children for pay vary by state and city. Also check whether your van size counts as a school bus, plus background checks and child safety seat rules.