Ride-sharing service Uber introduces option for passengers and drivers to choose gender match preference
In a bid to enhance safety and provide more control to women users, Uber has announced the launch of its new feature, "Women's Preferences," in the United States. This feature, which allows women riders and drivers to be matched exclusively, was initially launched in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and has since expanded to around 40 countries worldwide[1][2]. The pilot programs for this feature are set to begin in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit in July 2025[1][2].
Uber's decision to introduce this feature comes in response to feedback from women riders and drivers who expressed a desire for more control over their journeys. The company aims to provide women with more choice, confidence, and flexibility when using Uber.
The Women's Preferences feature will be an on-demand option for riders, along with existing options like UberXL, Uber Black, Comfort, and Wait & Save. Women drivers will also have the option to request trips with women riders. Riders and drivers can toggle on the women preference in their app settings to increase the chances of being matched with another woman, although it is not guaranteed.
In a move that seems to follow a similar trend, Lyft introduced the "Women+ Connect" option before expanding nationwide, prior to Uber's new program[3]. However, there is no documented information available about when Lyft introduced a similar women-only ride-sharing or matching feature or if such a feature exists on Lyft’s platform.
The Women's Preferences feature was first launched in Saudi Arabia following a law that granted women the right to drive, and it has since received an "overwhelmingly positive" response. Uber has recorded thousands of incidents of sexual assaults over the years and has sought to introduce measures to make traveling safer[4].
It is worth noting that women riders can verify their gender on the Uber app to access the new feature. Uber has not yet announced a launch date for other US cities beyond the pilot programs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit.
References: [1] Uber's Women's Preferences Feature Coming to the US. (2025, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/01/uber-womens-preferences-feature-coming-to-the-us.html [2] Uber's Women's Preferences Feature: What You Need to Know. (2025, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/01/technology/uber-womens-preferences-feature.html [3] Lyft's Women+ Connect Option: A Precursor to Uber's Women's Preferences Feature? (2025, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.techcrunch.com/2025/06/01/lyfts-women-connect-option-a-precursor-to-ubers-womens-preferences-feature/ [4] Uber's Safety Measures: A Response to Thousands of Sexual Assault Incidents Over the Years. (2025, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57534399
- Uber's latest press release announces the expansion of its Women's Preferences feature to the United States, following a highly positive response in over 40 countries since its launch in Saudi Arabia.
- The Women's Preferences feature, initially introduced in 2019, aims to provide health-and-wellness and safety measures for women users by allowing them to be matched exclusively with other women.
- Besides the existing UberXL, Uber Black, Comfort, and Wait & Save options, the Women's Preferences feature will be an on-demand option, catering to women's health-and-wellness and lifestyle needs while promoting a sense of control and confidence.
- In a parallel move, technology company Lyft introduced the Women+ Connect option prior to nationwide expansion, although specific details regarding the introduction and existence of a similar women-only feature on its platform are not widely documented.
