Uber Launches Women-Only Ride Feature in US, Excludes Ireland

Uber is set to introduce a new feature in select cities across the United States, allowing women riders to request female drivers exclusively. This initiative, named “Women Preferences,” will initially be available in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit beginning in the coming weeks. Despite the positive reception anticipated in these locations, Uber has confirmed that there are currently no plans to implement this feature in Ireland.

The new option will enable both female passengers and female drivers to connect solely with one another for their rides. This marks a significant shift, as several countries already offer a variant for female drivers to request women passengers, but this is the first time the system will cater specifically to passengers’ preferences. In a statement, an Uber spokesperson indicated, “This is just a US product,” highlighting the company’s focus on the American market for this pilot program.

While Uber’s initiative is not extending to Ireland, other ride-sharing services are exploring similar features. For instance, Freenow is in the process of being acquired by Lyft, which offers a comparable feature called Women+ Connect in the United States. Danny O’Gorman, General Manager of Freenow Ireland, remarked that the Women+ Connect feature has been “well received in the US” and that they are currently assessing its potential relevance in European markets. “Supporting passenger and driver safety is a key priority for Freenow,” O’Gorman stated, adding that the company is committed to providing secure services through safety features like “Share your trip,” which allows users to share their journey with friends or family.

Another competitor, Bolt, has implemented a feature in some countries enabling women passengers to request women drivers, known as “Women for Women.” Kimberly Hurd, Senior General Manager for Bolt in Ireland, emphasized the company’s dedication to safety and ongoing reviews of expanding their services. “Safety is a top priority for Bolt, and we’re always looking at new ways to support both passengers and drivers,” Hurd said.

Despite the interest in enhancing safety for women in ride-sharing services, Hurd acknowledged that there are significant challenges in increasing the number of female taxi drivers in Ireland. She pointed out that regulatory obstacles and the high costs associated with entering the market are major barriers. Hurd noted, “The cost of entering the market is high, and the SPSV Driver Entry Test needs modernization to better reflect today’s technology and operating conditions.”

The introduction of the Women Preferences feature by Uber highlights a growing trend in the ride-sharing industry towards addressing safety concerns for women. As the pilot program unfolds in the US, it remains to be seen how similar initiatives may evolve in other regions, including Europe.