Terms of Service
Last Updated: March 2026 | Effective: Pilot Phase
PILOT PHASE NOTICE: EZSchoolRide is currently operating as a closed, invitation-only pilot program. No real currency is exchanged during this phase. EZPoints are non-monetary credits with no cash value and cannot be redeemed for money.
1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the EZSchoolRide mobile application, website, or related services ("Services"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or legal guardian must also review and consent to these Terms on your behalf. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Services.
2. Description of Services
EZSchoolRide is a school-community-based peer-to-peer carpool coordination platform that connects student riders with licensed student drivers and licensed parent drivers within the same verified school network.
EZSchoolRide is a technology coordination tool only - similar to a scheduling or community bulletin board - and does not provide transportation services, does not operate vehicles, and does not employ or contract with drivers.
All transportation is arranged directly and voluntarily between users. EZSchoolRide has no control over, and accepts no responsibility for, any transportation decisions made by users.
3. Platform Role & Relationship
EZSchoolRide acts solely as a facilitator of connections between users within a closed, verified school community. This platform is a community coordination tool, not a transportation provider or transportation network company (TNC).
- Drivers are independent users - not employees, agents, contractors, or representatives of EZSchoolRide.
- EZSchoolRide does not set routes, control driver behavior, or supervise any ride.
- EZSchoolRide does not own, operate, or maintain any vehicles.
- Any cost-sharing between riders and drivers represents voluntary gas expense reimbursement between users, not payment for transportation services provided by EZSchoolRide.
4. Eligibility & Age Requirements
- Users must be 14 years of age or older.
- Users under 13 are strictly prohibited from using this platform.
- Users must belong to a verified school community approved by EZSchoolRide.
- Users under 18 years of age must have express written consent from a parent or legal guardian prior to creating an account or using any Services.
- Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and school policies.
5. Parental Consent & Guardian Responsibility
Because EZSchoolRide serves minors (ages 14-17), parental or guardian involvement is a core requirement of our platform.
5.1 Consent Requirement
- A parent or legal guardian must review and acknowledge these Terms on behalf of any user under 18.
- Parents/guardians consent to the collection of their child's personal information as described in our Privacy Policy.
- Parents/guardians may revoke consent and request account deletion at any time by contacting support@ezschoolride.com.
5.2 Guardian Acknowledgment
By allowing a minor to use this platform, the parent or guardian acknowledges that:
- Carpool arrangements involve real transportation with associated risks.
- EZSchoolRide is a coordination tool only and does not assume liability for transportation incidents.
- The parent/guardian retains full responsibility for decisions about their child's transportation.
6. Account Registration
- Users must provide accurate, complete, and truthful information during registration.
- Each user may maintain only one account.
- Account credentials must not be shared with any third party.
- EZSchoolRide reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts for false, misleading, or unverifiable information.
7. Safety, Verification & Community Standards
7.1 User Verification
To maintain a trusted environment, EZSchoolRide requires:
- Parent or guardian verification for all student users under 18.
- School affiliation verification.
- Age confirmation at registration.
7.2 Driver Requirements
Every driver must, prior to offering any ride:
- Hold a valid, unexpired driver's license for the state in which they drive.
- Maintain active personal auto insurance that meets or exceeds state minimum requirements.
- Have received parent or guardian permission to participate as a driver (if under 18).
- Confirm in writing within the app that their personal insurance is active and that they understand EZSchoolRide provides no insurance coverage for any ride-related incident.
IMPORTANT:By registering as a driver, you confirm that your personal auto insurance is active and in good standing. You understand and accept that EZSchoolRide provides absolutely no insurance coverage for any incident occurring before, during, or after any ride arranged through this platform. Your personal insurance policy governs all claims.
7.3 Zero-Tolerance Safety Policy
EZSchoolRide enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any impairing substance.
- Reckless, aggressive, or unsafe driving behavior.
- Any form of harassment, intimidation, or threatening behavior between users.
Violations will result in immediate suspension or permanent removal from the platform. Serious violations may be reported to school authorities and/or law enforcement.
7.4 Reporting & Monitoring
Users may and are encouraged to report unsafe behavior through the platform. EZSchoolRide reserves the right to investigate reports and take appropriate action, including account termination. EZSchoolRide does not supervise rides in real time and cannot guarantee the outcome of any investigation.
8. Pilot Phase — EZPoints & No Real Currency
During the current pilot phase, EZSchoolRide operates on a non-monetary credit system called EZPoints.
- EZPoints are non-monetary credits with no cash value.
- EZPoints cannot be redeemed, transferred, or exchanged for real money or any financial instrument.
- No real currency (USD or otherwise) is charged, collected, or distributed during the pilot phase.
- Any cost-sharing of actual gas expenses between users is a private arrangement between those users and does not involve EZSchoolRide as a financial party.
EZSchoolRide will provide advance notice to users before introducing any real-money payment features. Updated Terms will be issued at that time and will require fresh acceptance.
9. Insurance - Critical Disclosure
EZSchoolRide does not provide, arrange, or guarantee any insurance coverage of any kind.
- Drivers must maintain valid personal auto insurance at all times while using the platform.
- Drivers acknowledge that their personal auto insurance policy is the sole source of coverage for any vehicle-related incident.
- Riders acknowledge that they are riding voluntarily and that EZSchoolRide provides no insurance protection for riders.
- EZSchoolRide expressly disclaims any responsibility for insurance gaps, claim denials, or uninsured losses of any kind.
WARNING: Personal auto insurance policies may not cover incidents that occur during rides arranged through third-party platforms. Drivers are strongly encouraged to disclose their participation in EZSchoolRide to their insurance provider. EZSchoolRide bears no responsibility for any claim denial by any insurance company.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:
- EZSchoolRide is not liable for any accidents, injuries, property damage, or losses arising from user interactions, transportation arrangements, or rides coordinated through the platform.
- EZSchoolRide does not assume responsibility for the conduct, actions, or omissions of any driver, rider, or third party.
- EZSchoolRide's total liability to any user for any claim arising from use of the platform shall not exceed the total EZPoints or monetary fees (if any) paid by that user in the 30 days preceding the claim. During the pilot phase where no money is exchanged, EZSchoolRide's maximum liability is $0.
- Users acknowledge that all transportation decisions and ride participation are made entirely at their own risk.
- EZSchoolRide is in pilot/beta phase and makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding platform reliability, availability, or fitness for any particular purpose.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless EZSchoolRide, Bridgeway Innovations LLC, and their respective owners, officers, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:
- Your use of or access to the platform.
- Your actions as a driver or rider.
- Your violation of these Terms.
- Your violation of any applicable law or third-party right.
- Any accident, injury, or incident arising from a ride you participated in as a driver or rider.
12. Suspension & Termination
EZSchoolRide may suspend or terminate any user's access to the platform, with or without notice, for:
- Safety violations or zero-tolerance policy breaches.
- Fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading activity.
- Providing false information during registration or verification.
- Breach of any provision of these Terms.
13. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved in the courts of Cook County, Illinois, or through binding arbitration as mutually agreed by the parties.
14. Updates to Terms
EZSchoolRide reserves the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Users will be notified of material changes through the platform. Continued use of the platform after notice of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. For users under 18, a parent or guardian must re-confirm consent following material changes.
Bridgeway Innovations LLC | Illinois, United States
