Uber Is Letting Women Riders Match With Women Drivers

Uber is introducing a new feature called Women Preferences, This allows women riders to have a higher chance of being paired with women drivers. The feature first will be available only in Detroit, San Francisco, and Los Angeles as a pilot program.

This initiative aims to provide women with more choice, control, and comfort when using the ride-sharing service. Uber’s vice president of U.S. and Canada operations, Camiel Irving, said the feature is meant to help women feel more at ease using the service, whether they’re behind the wheel or in the backseat. While the app can’t guarantee every request will be fulfilled, it boosts the likelihood women riders will be paired with women drivers.

The company tested the tool in France, Germany, and Argentina, and it builds on Uber’s earlier gender-preference efforts. In 2019, Uber introduced a similar feature in Saudi Arabia after women gained the right to drive, eventually expanding it to 40 countries

The update comes as Uber and other ride-hailing companies continue facing scrutiny over rider safety, particularly after reports of harassment and assault on their platforms.