Uber is introducing new features designed to use the platform to enhance safety and comfort for women. Starting next month, the company will pilot tools from select cities in the US that allow female riders to choose female drivers when booking or pre-booking trips.
Additionally, this feature, which allows female drivers to choose to match only female passengers, will be first tested in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit. Users can set preferences within the app, but there is no guarantee that Uber matches based on gender.
“We are pleased to announce that we are committed to providing a range of services to our customers,” said Camiel Irving, vice president of Uber’s US and Canada operations.
This move follows similar efforts internationally. In 2019, the company launched the Female Rider Preference Tool in Saudi Arabia, following the legal rights for women to drive. Its functionality has since expanded to around 40 countries. Uber is also testing new gender-based matching tools in France, Germany and Argentina.
The development continues to face investigations into passenger safety, particularly in cases of sexual assault or harassment. In recent years, Uber has implemented safety enhancements such as Teen Rider accounts, rider PIN verification, and improved driver screening.
Rival Lyft introduced similar features in late 2023, allowing women, non-binary riders and drivers to choose to combine each other.
