The Lewiston School Department is partnering with a technology company from California to provide support for students with transportation issues.

HopSkipDrive is a technology company that solves complex transportation challenges where there is a heightened need for safety, access and care.

Lewiston is its first venture into Maine.

“Lewiston public schools is excited to partner with HopSkipDrive to provide safe, reliable rides to all our students,” Alisa Roman, director of Transportation and Nutrition for Lewiston schools, said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring our students have every opportunity to succeed, starting with a transportation option to and from school that can be arranged in as little as six hours.

“Our partnership with HopSkipDrive provides a much-needed supplement to our transportation options, giving our students and their families peace of mind and helping us ensure that every child gets to and from school safely and on time,” Roman said.

Roman was unavailable Wednesday to answer further questions about the program and other school officials contacted for more information on the program did not return messages.

It is unknown how many students would be involved in the program or how much the partnership will cost Lewiston schools.

According to the news release, the company will provide a “safe and reliable supplement to traditional busing, one that is purpose-built to support students whose needs often fall outside the scope of fixed routes, including those students with disabilities, in foster care, or experiencing homelessness.”

Among the students who will receive rides are those with mobility challenges and one-on-one needs.

Lewiston will get a team of drivers utilizing small vehicles. Called CareDrivers, they could include parents, grandparents, nurses, babysitters, and other experienced caregivers, according to the release.

Working with Lewiston officials, HopSkipDrive will provide a platform to identify students who require transportation to school and home and assign pickup times to students who have difficulty accessing the normal transportation system.