How a school run with us works
Most parents come to us after one of three things happens: a new job with an earlier start, a second child at a different school, or a term when the bus route simply does not line up with the timetable. Whatever the reason, the set-up is the same. You tell us the pick-up address, the school, the bell time and which days you need, and we plan a fixed slot around it.
For a regular run we agree a time that allows for real traffic, not an empty road. Burlington Road and the West Barnes Lane level crossing both slow down between 08:00 and 08:45, and the A3 slip roads at Malden Junction can back up when there is a hold-up towards Kingston. The pick-up time reflects that, so your child is not the one dashing through the gate as it closes.
One-off journeys count too
You do not have to sign up for a whole term. Plenty of bookings are single trips: a dentist appointment that ends at 10:30 and needs a ride back to class, a school trip that leaves before the usual drop-off, or a day when a parent is unwell. Call 020 3642 6159 and we will slot it in.
Keeping children safe and settled
Safety is the first thing parents ask about, and rightly so. Every journey we arrange is carried out by a private hire driver licensed by Transport for London, and TfL licensing includes an enhanced background check. On top of that, these are the habits we ask for on every school booking:
- The child is handed over at the agreed point, not dropped on a busy corner.
- Children ride in the back, belted in, with a child seat or booster where their age and height call for one.
- Any change, such as a different collection person or an early finish, comes from the parent who booked.
- If something delays the car, you get a call before the bell, not after.
Child seats are supplied on request. Tell us each child's age and approximate weight when you book so the right seat or booster is fitted before the car arrives.
Which car for your school run?
A single child or two siblings travel comfortably in a standard saloon. Once you add a third child, a bulky instrument case, a PE kit bag and a science project, it is worth moving up. Our 6 seater taxi has room for car seats in the middle row and bags behind, and it suits families who share a run with neighbours. For a full car share of up to eight pupils, look at the 7 seater taxi instead.
Fares and regular bookings
School runs are priced as fixed fares. For a regular booking, ask for a weekly or termly price covering the days you need. You will know exactly what each week costs before the first morning, and there is no meter running while the queue waits at the crossing. Payment is by card or cash.
If you are planning for September, it helps to book in the summer holidays. Morning slots between 07:30 and 08:30 are the busiest of the whole day, and the earlier we know, the easier it is to keep the same driver on your run.
Beyond the school gate
The same planning helps with other family journeys. Many school-run families also book us for Heathrow airport transfers at half term, when a 4am start with sleepy children needs an MPV that is ready and waiting. If you are a driver interested in this kind of work, our driver jobs page explains what school-run driving involves.
We arrange school runs from Motspur Park, New Malden, Raynes Park and the wider area, including families further out in Cheam and Sutton.