Uber Launches New Option for Female Passengers and Drivers

/ Source: CBS News

Uber has revealed a new initiative aimed at female passengers and drivers, allowing women to select female-only rides. This pilot will roll out shortly in major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit.

In a recent announcement, Uber specified that female riders would notice a new 'female driver' option within the app. Should the wait for a female driver exceed their patience, passengers can opt for another ride, which may include a male driver, for a faster service.

The company has cited feedback from women riders and drivers across the country, expressing a desire for more gender-specific travel arrangements.

Potentially longer wait times for those preferring female drivers might occur, considering that currently, women make up only about 20% of Uber's driving partners. Nonetheless, users can plan rides with female drivers in advance, according to a company announcement.

During this trial period, Uber plans to assess various factors, including the waiting time. If female drivers aren't nearby or available, riders have several options: wait until one becomes free, schedule a future ride with a female driver, or accept the next available driver.

Users are able to set their app preferences to favor female drivers, increasing the likelihood but not ensuring a match.

Female Uber drivers are also encouraged to select female passengers, particularly during peak times when earnings can be maximized. A 'female passenger preference' feature can be activated within driver settings, facilitating these pairings.

Uber has previously introduced this initiative in other nations, starting in Saudi Arabia in 2019 following new driving rights for women, and has since broadened to cover 40 countries, culminating in over 100 million trips worldwide.