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Uber is set to introduce a new feature in the United States that will allow women drivers and riders to opt for women-only matches. Starting next month, the ride-share company will pilot this initiative in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, aiming to enhance safety and comfort for women on the platform.
The new feature, called Women Preferences, allows female drivers to choose to only accept ride requests from female passengers, and vice versa. This initiative comes as a response to feedback from women riders and drivers who expressed a desire for more control and comfort during their trips. According to CNBC, Camiel Irving, Uber's vice president of U.S. and Canada operations, stated, "It's about giving women more choice, more control, and more comfort when they ride and drive."
The feature was first launched in Saudi Arabia in 2019, following the country's decision to grant women the right to drive. Since then, it has expanded to over 40 countries, completing more than 100 million trips. Forbes reported that Uber's internal surveys indicate that approximately 75% of women riders support this feature.
This move comes amid ongoing safety concerns and over 2,300 sexual assault and harassment lawsuits against Uber. The company hopes that this feature will address these issues and provide a safer environment for women. Uber has also introduced other safety features, such as trip recordings and rider verification, to improve security on its platform.
While the preference for women drivers is not guaranteed, it significantly increases the likelihood of matching women riders with women drivers. The pilot program will serve as a test to refine the feature further and potentially expand it across the U.S. in the future.