Uber reveals new service to combat major customer gripe
The company will begin piloting its 'Women Preferences' program in the coming weeks in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California, as well as Detroit, Michigan.
The feature gives riders the option to match with women drivers or share rides only with female passengers.
First launched in 2019 in Saudi Arabia — the year after women gained the right to drive there — the feature has since expanded to more than 40 countries, including Canada and Mexico, completing over 100 million trips.
Uber says the expansion comes as demand for the feature in the US has grown.
'After hearing from women riders and drivers around the world, it was clear: Many want the option to match with other women,' Camiel Irving, Uber's vice president of operations, US and Canada, told ABC News.
'That's why we're proud to pilot Women Preferences in the US for the first time... It's about giving women more choice, more control, and more comfort when they ride and drive.'
Uber is piloting a program that will allow riders to select female drivers and share rides with women passengers
Camiel Irving, Uber's vice president of operations, US and Canada, said this feature will give more women comfort when they ride and drive
Travelers will be able to make their request on demand when they see an option called 'Women Drivers.'
However, the company has issued a warning to passengers that it may take longer for their rides to arrive.
If that's the case, they can either choose a ride with any available driver rather than a female, or pre-book their ride.
Riders can also set preferences for female drivers in their app settings. While this will increase their chances, it will not guarantee a woman driver.
Uber users who are allowed to use this privilege now can open the app to enable it by opening 'Trip Planner,' and selecting 'Women Riders' when in driving preferences.
Prior to its safety measures, Uber had been the topic of conversation due to issues regarding sexual assault.
Nearly 6,000 assaults were reported between 2017 and 2018, which ultimately dropped to 2,717 by 2022.
The company has not clarified the average number of assaults over the last couple of years, but there are currently over 2,300 sexual assault and harassment lawsuits against them.
The company revealed that a female driver preference could make it take longer for a traveler to find a ride
Uber has done its best to guarantee safety for its riders and even launched a 'favorite' drivers feature in 2019.
However, it was not able to beat out other ride share companies in allowing riders in the US to select female drivers.
Lyft made headlines in 2023 for launching its Women+Connect feature.
The company hoped it would help encourage women and nonbinary riders to feel more confident in their work.
It was also created after the company recorded over 4,000 sexual assault claims.
The Lyft feature rolled out in select cities in Illinois, Arizona and California before expanding it to all areas of US operation.
If Uber's pilot program proves to be a success, the company aims to do the same exact thing.
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