For many Hingham families, getting kids from school to sports, friends’ houses, jobs, and other activities can mean constantly balancing chaotic schedules. Between coordinating rides, working around parents’ schedules, and making sure kids arrive safely at their destination, transportation can become a large burden for families, and while many consider the option of Uber for transportation, many families are unsure if it is safe and reliable. However, the recently launched Loop Shuttles are designed to make that exact challenge easier by providing a way for children and teens to travel independently around Hingham and nearby community locations.
The Loop, led by Select Board Chair Liz Klein, received authorization to obtain a limousine license after a vote from the Hingham Select Board, allowing the service to officially launch. However, this vote was just the final step of a plan that was no easy task to accomplish. Liz Klein, the CEO of Loop, had to hire trained drivers, make a fully functioning app, and complete other tasks all in time for the launch. Klein’s true passion and dedication for The Loop business created a unique solution to a large problem that many families have struggled with.
Currently, The Loop is offering transportation services for destinations within Hingham or surrounding community spots. The riders are transported in customized vans that can accommodate anywhere from seven to fifteen passengers. Jake Selkirk, a freshman at HHS, shares, “The shuttles have a very modern-looking interior and are equipped with useful phone chargers. I think The Loop is a great addition to Hingham because it allows kids to be more independent and have accessible transportation around town.”
To use the service, families must first download The Loop app and build their family profile. Once the profile is complete, rides can be requested by entering pickup and drop-off locations and times. Depending on the settings enabled, parents, guardians, children, or teens can make their rides on the app. A background-checked, trained driver will then arrive at the designated pickup location. During the ride, parents have the option to receive notifications and use a tracking feature to receive updates on their child’s trip.
Before the launch, the community eagerly anticipated The Loops’ accessible transportation services for summer activities. Now, since the school year has begun, Loop has proven to become even more crucial to families with students returning to busy schedules filled with school, sports, and other extracurricular activities. Jane Givney, another freshman at Hingham High, says, “I think it’s a good idea to provide a safe Hingham-based transportation option for teens with trusted adult drivers. My parents also think it’s a thoughtful idea to incorporate into our community.”
For parents, constantly arranging transportation options can be a hassle. With often busy and filled schedules, The Loop offers another way for Hingham families to keep moving. In more ways than one, The Loop is fostering a stronger sense of community by bringing together families, students, and local destinations. Its name not only reflects the transportation routes, but the literal connections it creates throughout the Hingham community.
