Rebecca Manzi Uber's new Women Rider Preference feature allows female and non-binary drivers and passengers to select their gender match for rides, aiming to improve safety and user experience.
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Uber has officially rolled out the Women Rider Preference feature in the United States, aimed at offering female drivers and non-binary individuals the ability to choose who they will pick up or be paired with. This feature, which has been active in over 40 countries (though not yet in the U.S.), is currently being tested in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit.
How it works for drivers
Drivers who identify as female or non-binary can activate the preference feature via the Uber app. Once enabled, they will only receive ride requests from passengers of the same gender. However, Uber points out that while the preference is set, a perfect match is not always guaranteed. If there are doubts or issues, the ride can be canceled without any penalty, ensuring flexibility for both drivers and passengers.
What’s new for riders
For passengers, the option to select a female driver is now available, a feature that applies to both immediate rides and pre-scheduled trips. Nonetheless, if waiting times are longer than expected, users can choose to adjust their preference to speed up the process. This feature offers greater control to female passengers who wish to feel safer when choosing their ride.
Responding to a growing demand
The decision to introduce this feature comes in response to a growing number of requests from both riders and drivers who seek to travel or work in an environment they perceive as safer. Camiel Irving, Vice President of Operations for the United States and Canada, emphasized that feedback from global users has helped create a design that is truly functional, rather than merely symbolic.
Enhancing safety and trust
This move comes amid increased attention to safety in the transportation industry, particularly after years of criticism over harassment and assault incidents involving Uber. The Women Rider Preference feature is another step towards restoring trust in the platform, complementing previous safety options that Uber has rolled out, such as in-app safety management centers.
Although the feature is currently limited to three cities, Uber has expressed its intention to expand the service. The success of similar initiatives in regions such as Saudi Arabia and Europe suggests that this option could be rolled out to other areas soon—hopefully, it will be available more broadly before long.
Source: Women Rider Preference
