In the US, Uber is changing the rideshare experience with a thoughtful new feature that lets women riders pair up with women drivers. This is in response to repeated calls for safer and more comfortable trips.
There are a lot of news stories about how unsafe rideshares are, and this project is about to make a big difference. But what does it really mean for drivers and passengers? How does it compare to other efforts around the world?
Women Preferences in Uber
Uber’s Women Preferences let female riders choose a “Women Drivers” option when booking a ride. The feature is first being rolled out in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit.
Women can also make this the default setting in the app or use Uber Reserve to book a ride directly with a female driver. Because there are only so many drivers, not every request can be met perfectly. However, this feature greatly improves the chances for women to meet a woman behind the wheel.
On the other side of the app, women drivers can choose to only get ride requests from women passengers. This setting can be turned on or off at any time, even during times when drivers are making the most money, like in the evenings.
These changes give drivers who have been worried about their safety during night shifts more power and peace of mind.
Why now? The context behind the launch
The move Uber made is based on data and is also very human. Women who ride or drive for Uber have been telling stories for years, some of which are inspiring and some of which are scary.
The company’s own internal surveys and public reports have found thousands of cases that raise safety concerns about ridesharing. Often, women are at the center of these stories.
The company’s own internal surveys and public reports have documented thousands of cases implicating rideshare safety, with women frequently at the center of these narratives.
Uber isn’t the first company to use this idea around the world. After the big change in 2019 that gave women the right to drive, the feature was tested in Saudi Arabia.
Over 100 million trips in 40 countries used the option for women to ride together, and Uber has kept improving the matching process based on what they’ve learned from real-life experiences in places like Germany, France, and Argentina.
There is also a need that competitors are aware of. Lyft’s “Women+ Connect” feature came out in 2023, letting women and nonbinary people choose to ride with someone of the same gender.
But Uber’s approach is similar, but for now it’s only matching women. This is because many US riders and drivers want more control over how and with whom they ride.
Fresh Views on the Lived Experience
To get an idea of what might happen, it helps to think about the people who are already affected: women drivers. Many people have said that working late-night shifts gives them both freedom and worry.
The new pairing option gives them a lift, both literally and by giving them peace of mind that their next ride will start with something they have in common. This means that women riders can ride home more easily after a long day or feel safer after a night out.
The program also fills in important gaps. For example, only about 1 in 5 Uber drivers in the US are women, which can make matches take longer to make. But even if a perfect match doesn’t happen right away, the fact that Uber has put safety first and listened to repeated pleas shows that real progress has been made.
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Trials around the world and lessons for the US
Uber’s success with gender-based pairing has been affected by culture and situation around the world. In places where safe transportation for women is most needed, these features have given women both practical safety and a sense of empowerment.
Drivers’ feedback led to changes in the technology, such as making it easier to switch preferences and making sure that drivers can change their settings while they’re on the go. These changes are now part of the rollout in the US.
Important Thoughts: Not Just a Feature, But a Statement
- Choice and Control: Female riders and drivers can now personalize their Uber experience like never before.
- Safety First, but Not Last: While no system is flawless, more options and awareness pave the way for trust.
- Industry Ripple Effect: Uber’s push may encourage further innovation and competition industry-wide.
Final words
Uber’s new feature for pairing women riders and drivers is about listening to women, amplifying their voices, and promising safer streets. As this pilot program rolls out in cities across the US, its real success will be judged by how safe and easy everyday trips become.
