Uber Offers Women-Only Rides Across the Nation

UBER launched its "Women Drivers" feature nationwide on March 9, allowing both women riders and drivers across the U.S. to be matched with other women for trips. The feature offers three options: requesting a female driver directly, reserving a trip with a woman driver in advance, or setting a preference in app settings that increases the chances of being matched with a female driver.

The rollout expands a pilot program that began last summer in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Detroit before expanding to 26 U.S. cities in November. The initiative aims to address longstanding safety concerns on ride-hailing platforms, particularly for female passengers traveling alone or during late-night hours.

The nationwide launch comes despite an ongoing class action lawsuit in California filed by Uber drivers who argue the feature discriminates against men. Rival Lyft faces a similar discrimination lawsuit over its own women-only offering introduced in 2024. For Uber, the feature could be a meaningful differentiator in attracting and retaining female riders, though legal outcomes may shape how ride-hailing companies implement gender-based matching going forward.