Uber Rolls Out Women-Only Ride Feature in US, Not in Ireland

URGENT UPDATE: Uber has just announced a groundbreaking feature that will allow women in select US cities to request rides exclusively with female drivers. However, this initiative will not be available in Ireland.

The ride-sharing giant revealed this week that the pilot program, dubbed “Women Preferences,” will launch in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit within the next few weeks. This innovative function aims to enhance safety and comfort for female passengers, allowing both riders and drivers to opt for matches with women only.

According to Uber, several countries already offer options for women drivers to select female passengers, but this is the first time that the reverse choice will be available for passengers. A spokesperson confirmed, “This is just a US product,” making it clear that Irish users will miss out on this feature.

In Ireland, competing taxi apps like Freenow and Bolt have taken note of Uber’s move. Freenow, which is in the process of being acquired by Lyft, has already implemented a similar feature in the US called “Women+ Connect.” Freenow’s Ireland General Manager, Danny O’Gorman, stated that they are evaluating how such features could be relevant for European markets, emphasizing that safety is a top priority for their service.

“Supporting passenger and driver safety is a key priority for Freenow, and we are committed to providing safe and reliable service to app users through safety features,” O’Gorman noted. He further highlighted the rigorous vetting process that taxi drivers in Ireland undergo, requiring full background checks by An Garda Síochána.

Meanwhile, Bolt has its own initiative called “Women for Women,” available in select countries, allowing women to request female drivers. Kimberly Hurd, Bolt’s Senior General Manager for Ireland, stated, “Safety is a top priority for Bolt, and we’re always looking at new ways to support both passengers and drivers.” Though this feature isn’t currently available in Ireland, Hurd mentioned that they continuously assess potential rollouts.

Hurd also pointed to challenges in increasing the number of female taxi drivers, citing the high costs of entering the market and the need for modernization of the SPSV Driver Entry Test. “These issues need to be addressed if we’re serious about improving diversity across the sector,” she added.

As Uber expands its services aimed at enhancing safety for women, the absence of similar features in Ireland raises questions about the future of female-focused transportation options in the region.

WHAT’S NEXT: Keep an eye on developments from Freenow and Bolt as they explore potential adaptations of similar safety features for the European market. The conversation around women’s safety in ride-sharing continues to grow, and how companies respond may shape the future of transportation services in Ireland and beyond.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds, and share your thoughts on social media regarding the necessity and impact of such features in your area.