In a move aimed at enhancing safety, comfort, and choice for women riders and drivers, Uber has launched a new feature called Women Preferences, now expanding nationwide across the United States. This feature allows women who use the ride-sharing platform to request female drivers through an option directly available in the Uber app. The development reflects Uber’s response to feedback from women riders and drivers seeking more control over their ride experiences.
For many people, using ride-sharing services like Uber is straightforward: open the app, request a ride, and get from point A to point B. However, for many women, the experience can be different due to concerns about safety and comfort when entering a stranger’s vehicle. Recognizing these concerns, Uber has focused on creating a feature that addresses these specific needs by enabling women riders to select an option to be matched with women drivers whenever possible.
The Women Preferences feature was initially piloted in select U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Detroit after its first introduction in Saudi Arabia in 2019 — a country where women had recently gained the legal right to drive. Since then, the program has grown significantly, with more than 230 million trips worldwide utilizing the feature. Now, Uber is rolling out the option nationwide in the U.S., making it accessible to millions more women riders and drivers.
Here is how the feature works: when requesting a ride, women riders will see a new “Women Drivers” option in the app if it is supported in their city. Selecting this option signals a preference to be matched with a female driver. While the preference increases the likelihood of being paired with a woman driver, Uber clarifies that it is not a guarantee. Availability depends on the number of women drivers active at any given time, and as a result, wait times may occasionally be longer. Riders can always switch back to the standard ride option if they need a quicker pickup.
Importantly, the feature is designed to empower women drivers as well. Women who drive for Uber can activate a setting in the Uber Driver app called “Women Rider Preference,” which prioritizes trip requests from women riders. This added layer of control allows women drivers to choose the type of ride requests they receive, potentially improving their comfort and safety while on the job. Uber reports that approximately one in five drivers on its platform in the United States are women, and this new feature is aimed at supporting them by providing greater flexibility and choice in their work.
Families also stand to benefit from this update. In cities where teen accounts are supported, parents and guardians can use the Women Preferences feature to request women drivers for their teenage riders. This option can be applied to both on-demand rides and scheduled trips, offering an additional layer of reassurance for families when younger riders need transportation.
Uber developed Women Preferences directly based on feedback from women using the platform. Brooke Anderson, Uber’s head of Product Communications, explained that the feature was created because women riders and drivers expressed a strong desire for more choice and control over their rides. "Women asked for more choice — and we built it with Women Preferences," Anderson said. This user-driven approach highlights how the company is listening to its community and evolving its services accordingly.
The introduction of Women Preferences comes at a time when ride-sharing companies, including Uber, have faced scrutiny over safety issues. In recent years, there have been reports and investigations revealing instances of violent offenders being cleared to drive passengers, which has raised concerns about rider safety. Features like Women Preferences aim to address these concerns by providing more options for women who may feel vulnerable or uncomfortable riding with male drivers.
By offering this feature, Uber is not replacing the traditional ride-matching system but rather adding an option for users who want more personalized control over their rides. For women riders, this can mean greater peace of mind, especially during late-night trips or when traveling alone. For women drivers, it offers the ability to select rides that align more closely with their comfort levels and preferences, which may encourage more women to remain active on the platform.
The rollout also reflects broader trends in the ride-sharing industry toward customization and user empowerment. As technology evolves, platforms are increasingly focusing on features that respond to the specific needs and preferences of diverse rider and driver populations. Uber’s nationwide expansion of Women Preferences signals confidence that this option will continue to grow in popularity as more users become aware of it.
Ultimately, the goal of Women Preferences is to make ride-sharing safer and more comfortable for women by giving them more control over their experience. Whether it