Uber Introduces Feature for Women Riders

Uber has announced a new feature that allows female passengers to select women as either drivers or fellow riders. This pilot program is set to launch in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit in the upcoming weeks. Female users will soon see an option labeled “female drivers” in the app.

“Across the US, female riders and drivers want options that match other women on their trip,” Uber mentioned.

However, it’s worth noting that women opting for female drivers might experience longer wait times, as prior data indicated that about 20% of Uber drivers in the US are women.

“That’s what I hope to learn more during this pilot,” an Uber spokesperson stated. “Riders may have to wait longer if female drivers are not readily available.”

Nonetheless, female users can opt out if they prefer not to wait for a female driver and can choose male drivers instead. This might help mitigate the wait time issue.

Customers also have the flexibility to ride with other women, which could address some of the concerns.

“They can decide to wait longer for a female driver, book a ride with one, or select a driver that might not be their preference,” an Uber representative explained.

Moreover, female drivers can request women as passengers by adjusting the “female rider preference” setting in the app.

Uber’s move to implement these changes may have been influenced by its experiences in Saudi Arabia, where women recently gained the right to drive. In 2019, a similar feature was rolled out in a Middle Eastern country and has since expanded to 40 countries, facilitating travel for over 100 million people.