Uber launches female driver option for women riders in U.S. cities

DDM News

(DDM) – In a significant move toward enhancing rider safety and comfort, Uber has announced a new pilot program allowing women in select U.S. cities to request female drivers.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the new feature, titled Women Preferences, will be rolled out over the next few weeks in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit.

This is the first time the ride-hailing giant is introducing the option in the United States, despite having already implemented it in 40 other countries.

The initiative comes in response to long-standing concerns about sexual assault and harassment incidents involving ride-share services, with Uber facing multiple lawsuits and public scrutiny over safety failures.

In a blog post published Wednesday, Uber said the Women Preferences feature was created in direct response to feedback from both female riders and drivers across the country.

“Across the US, women riders and drivers have told us they want the option to be matched with other women on trips,” said Camiel Irving, Uber’s vice president of operations in the U.S. and Canada.

The feature will allow women passengers to select a “Women Drivers” option within the app.

They will also have the ability to pre-book rides with female drivers and set a standing preference to be matched with a woman for all future trips, if desired.

Importantly, the feature will not be exclusive, users will still be able to ride with male drivers or accept male passengers if they wish, even when preferences are enabled.

The initiative is also designed to empower female drivers.

They will now be able to select a “Women Rider Preference” in their app settings, allowing them to primarily accept ride requests from female passengers.

This dual-option system aims to build trust, increase driver participation among women, and offer safer alternatives for women navigating urban transit systems.

Uber’s move follows the lead of other platforms like Lyft, HERide, and Just Her Rideshare, which have already introduced gender-based matching options.

While Uber did not provide a timeline for nationwide expansion, early reception of the pilot may determine how quickly the program scales.

The update represents a broader effort by the company to address user safety and rebuild public confidence after years of criticism over how assault complaints were handled.

For many female users, this option may offer greater peace of mind, particularly during late-night trips or in unfamiliar neighborhoods.

As the pilot launches, Uber says it will monitor feedback closely and refine the experience before considering wider implementation.

Safety advocates have cautiously welcomed the feature but stress that systemic reforms and driver accountability measures must continue across the entire ride-hailing industry.

The announcement marks another step toward a more inclusive and responsive transportation system, one that listens to the voices of women and adapts to meet their safety needs.

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