June 26, 2007

City and Suburban

You live in Manhattan because you never wanted to drive a minivan. But what if someone else was driving it? And he picked you and your brood up in a vehicle outfitted with child safety seats and ferried you to doctors' appointments, play dates and any of the other engagements you have on a given day? Bet that Honda Odyssey is looking a little sweeter now.

Kid Car NY was born out of a lot of bad transportation options for city parents with young children. You can take a cab – if you're willing to lug your own safety seat and fumble to install it. (Taxis and liveries are exempt from state law requiring kids under 7 to ride in safety seats.) You can take your own car, but who has the time to deal with traffic and parking? And the subway? Try four sets of stairs with small children, a stroller and a diaper bag.

All of which makes Kid Car NY's $300 annual membership fee – currently a $150 introductory offer – worth it (a minor indulgence, until at least one of the crew can walk on his own). Each one-way trip in Manhattan (sorry, no service in other boroughs) is an additional $25; there's no tipping. When you book you'll get a clean van with professionally installed safety seats suitable for your kids' ages and weights. Employees aren't permitted to use cell phones while on the road so you'll also get a driver who's focused on, well, driving – a relief for anyone who's watched a cabbie careen in and out of traffic while shouting at his girlfriend.

Being a "security mom" never sounded so good.

For more information, visit kidcarny.com.

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