Uber is making headlines with its new feature called ‘Preferences for Women,’ catering specifically to female passengers and drivers who wish to be matched only with other women.
The initiative is currently being piloted in key cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, with plans to potentially expand nationwide if the feedback is positive.
While this feature does not guarantee that every ride will be exclusively women-only, it significantly increases the likelihood when both the rider and driver have opted into the preference within the app.
This move comes in response to the public demand from women seeking greater control over their ride-hailing experiences.
Many women feel safer sharing a ride with another female, particularly given ongoing concerns about safety and instances of sexual harassment in the ride-sharing industry.
The ‘Preferences for Women’ feature will be available alongside existing ride options like UberXL, Comfort, and Wait & Save.
Uber aims to enhance user experience by providing more choices, especially regarding personal safety.
For years, female users in the U.S. have expressed their desire to ride with drivers of the same gender to feel more secure.
Some have reported feeling uneasy while using the app late at night, while others recounted uncomfortable experiences that left a lasting impact.
The concerns are not limited to passengers alone; female drivers have voiced similar apprehensions about feeling exposed on the road.
Uber’s new feature represents a strategic effort to create a safer and more comforting space for all users.
It is just one component of Uber’s larger initiative aimed at addressing persistent issues surrounding sexual harassment and rider safety.
Existing features like in-app emergency buttons and trip tracking have been introduced to improve safety, but ‘Preferences for Women’ offers an added layer of personalization and choice.
To activate the new ‘Preferences for Women,’ female users must first verify their gender in the Uber app.
Once verified, the setting will appear during ride requests, enabling users to select this option.
Riders can even schedule future rides while still opting for this gender preference.
For female drivers, the process is similar; they can choose to prioritize requests from women.
While matching is not always guaranteed, the app strives to connect female passengers with female drivers when both parties opt in.
This isn’t the first time Uber has experimented with a gender-focused matching system.
The concept was first rolled out in Saudi Arabia back in 2019, coinciding with women’s newfound legal driving rights in the country.
Following the Saudi trial, the feature underwent testing in various countries, including Germany and France, with Uber iterating the system based on user feedback throughout the process.
After years of adjusting and learning from these experiments, the company is now ready to introduce the feature in the United States.
For those in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, this is an exciting opportunity to experience a more personalized ride option.
Whether clients are seeking additional peace of mind as passengers or drivers who want more control over their ride-sharing experiences, ‘Preferences for Women’ empowers users with choices tailored to their comfort.
image source from：blanquivioletas
