Uber is rolling out a groundbreaking feature aimed at making ridesharing safer, more flexible, and more empowering for women. For the first time in the U.S., the company is introducing Women Preferences—a suite of features designed to give women riders and drivers more control over who they ride with or pick up.

Piloting in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, these new tools reflect years of global research and direct feedback from women across the Uber platform.

What’s New for Riders:

Women riders will now have several ways to increase their chances of riding with a woman driver:

• On-Demand Option: When requesting a ride, women will be able to select “Women Drivers” if available. If wait times are long, they can still choose to ride with any available driver.

• Reserve Ahead: Planning a trip in advance? Riders can now pre-book rides with women drivers for more certainty and peace of mind.

• Set a Preference: Within the app, riders can set a preference for women drivers—while not guaranteed, it significantly boosts the likelihood of being matched with one.

What’s New for Drivers

Women drivers can also tailor their experience by opting in to receive ride requests only from women:

• Toggle On/Off Anytime: Women drivers can activate the “Women Rider Preference” in their app settings and switch it off whenever they choose—allowing them to earn confidently and flexibly, including during peak hours.

A Global Idea Refined for the U.S.

Uber first introduced this concept in 2019 in Saudi Arabia, where it was met with overwhelming support. Since then, the feature has expanded to over 40 countries, facilitating more than 100 million rides.

Rolling it out in the U.S. took time. Uber invested in pilot programs across Germany and France to ensure that the feature was both meaningful and functional, despite the majority of drivers globally being men. The result is a robust, reliable system that gives women true choice—not just symbolic gestures.

As Uber continues to expand Women Preferences across the country, the company says it will evolve the program through ongoing feedback, partnerships, and education.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about comfort, confidence, and safety. And while these tools are designed for women, Uber believes a platform that prioritizes choice and trust ultimately benefits everyone.

Stay tuned as Women Preferences rolls out to more cities in the coming months.

*all images via Pexels