Uber recently rolled out its “female preferences” initiative, enabling female riders and drivers in the US to exclusively connect with other women for ride-sharing. This pilot program is set to launch soon in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, though other locations in the US have no confirmed timeline yet.
The company stated in a press release that female users have expressed a desire for options that allow them to travel with other women. They aim to enhance safety and comfort, which is reflected in their introduction of this feature.
This program is particularly noteworthy as Uber has faced scrutiny over numerous sexual assault cases throughout its history, prompting efforts to improve safety measures.
Previously, Uber had implemented a similar feature in various countries, allowing women to request female riders in around 40 different regions. It initially started in Saudi Arabia back in 2019, coinciding with new laws that permitted women to drive, and received very positive feedback.
Uber acknowledged that while riders were eager for this choice, creating the feature presented challenges, especially given that most drivers are male. They’ve put in thoughtful design work to make the system user-friendly across diverse settings.
To access the new feature, female riders need to confirm their gender in the app. When booking a ride, the option for a “Female Driver” will be visible, along with standard services like UberX, Uber Black, and Comfort, which can be used for on-demand requests. There’s also an option for riders to schedule a trip in advance with a female driver.
In a similar vein, female drivers have the opportunity to request rides with female riders as well. Although it’s not a sure thing, Uber mentioned that both riders and drivers can modify their preferences in the app settings.
Meanwhile, Lyft has also introduced a comparable feature called “Women+ Connect,” launching nationally in February 2024 after initial rollouts starting in September 2023.
