Uber has expanded its “women preferences” feature, which started in Saudi Arabia six years ago, to the United States. This feature now operates in over 40 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, and Mexico. Uber will test it in Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in the coming weeks.
This feature allows female riders to request a female driver. They can increase their chances of matching with a woman driver by enabling this option. If the wait is too long, they can choose another ride. Female drivers can also choose to receive ride requests only from female riders. They can change this setting at any time.
The move comes as ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft face ongoing safety challenges. Reports of assaults and fatalities continue to raise concerns. In 2021-2022, Uber reported 36 fatalities from physical assault. Although rare, these incidents prompted the company to launch new safety features like verified rider badges and audio/video recording options.
Uber designed the “women preferences” feature to address safety concerns among female riders. With increasing reports of unsafe experiences, this feature aims to offer a safer option for women on the platform.
Uber’s goal with the women preferences feature is to enhance security and inclusion. While it primarily targets female riders and drivers, the company continues to work on additional safety measures for a wider user base. Uber hopes this will lead to a safer, more reliable ride-hailing experience.
The expansion of this feature in major U.S. cities will test how well it is received by both drivers and riders. It could also reveal how this feature influences Uber’s overall safety strategy in the future.
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