Uber rolls out women preferences feature for safer rides
- Uber is launching a pilot program in the U.S. that allows women to choose female drivers and fellow riders.
- The initiative follows feedback from women concerned about safety during rides.
- The program aims to enhance women’s comfort, control, and options while using Uber services.
In a recent move aimed at improving safety and comfort for women, Uber announced the launch of its new 'Women Preferences' pilot program in three American cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit. This initiative will provide female passengers the choice to request rides from female drivers or to match with other women when sharing rides, responding to feedback from women users who expressed the need for a safer travel option. The pilot program is set to be implemented in the upcoming weeks, allowing female users to set preferences in their app settings, increasing the likelihood of being paired with a female driver. The feature stems from various concerns, particularly as Uber faces ongoing litigation regarding sexual assaults reportedly committed by its drivers. Female passengers and drivers have communicated their desire for more security, which has prompted the company's introduction of this gender-matching feature. While one in five Uber drivers in the U.S. are women, many reported that the previously male-dominated driver pool has hindered their sense of safety and security while using the service. This pilot program is not the first of its kind for Uber; similar features have been successfully implemented in other countries, including Saudi Arabia, where the women ride preference was first introduced in 2019 following significant social reforms. Following that trial, the feature expanded to 40 other countries, accumulating considerable usage and positive feedback. With safety concerns being a recurrent issue for ride-sharing companies, the introduction of women preferences aligns with a global push for enhanced safety measures in transportation services. Ultimately, this new functionality is tailored to empower women by giving them more choices and control in their ride experiences, fostering a sense of comfort and assurance while using the Uber platform. As the pilot program unfolds, the company aims to evaluate its effectiveness and possible adjustments, determined to create a better service experience for all users while addressing safety concerns head-on.