Uber is expanding a pilot program aimed at addressing concerns about the safety of its ride-hailing platform
Uber launched a feature on Monday to allow both female riders and drivers across the US to be matched with other women for trips, expanding a pilot program aimed at addressing concerns about the safety of its ride-hailing platform.
The new feature is being rolled out nationwide despite an ongoing class action lawsuit against the policy in California, filed by Uber drivers who argue that it is discriminatory against men. Rival ride-hailing company Lyft is also facing a discrimination lawsuit over a similar offering that it introduced nationwide in 2024.
The feature, announced in a blog post, allows women to request a female driver through an option on the app called “women drivers”. Passengers can opt for another ride if the wait for a woman is too long, and they can also reserve a trip with a female driver in advance. A third option allows female users to set a preference for a female driver in their app settings, which would increase the chances of being matched with a woman, though it would not guarantee it. Uber is also allowing its teen account users to request female drivers.
