Uber expands female driver option in the US amid mounting assault cases

"Riders will see a new on-demand booking option called "Women Drivers" alongside the existing UberX, Comfort, UberXL and Black offerings. Customers can reserve such a trip in advance, or set their preference in the app settings to increase the likelihood of being matched with a woman. The feature is also offered in cities where teen accounts are available."

"The move comes as Uber is fighting thousands of pending legal cases in the US that question if the company is responsible for the misconduct of drivers, who are classified as contractors rather than employees. In February, a jury returned a verdict that found Uber liable for not preventing an alleged sexual assault of a female passenger, who claimed that she was raped by her driver in Arizona in 2023."

"While 1 in 5 Uber drivers in the US are women, there is no guarantee of a match because the gender ratio among drivers varies widely. In New York, for example, 94% of taxi and ride-hail drivers are male, according to recent data from the city's taxi regulator."

Uber is launching a nationwide "Women Drivers" feature allowing female riders to request or set preferences for female drivers across major US markets including New York, Philadelphia, and DC. This expansion follows successful pilots in over two dozen cities and reflects the company's effort to address safety concerns amid thousands of sexual assault complaints from passengers. The initiative comes as Uber faces significant legal pressure, including a recent $8.5 million verdict finding the company liable for failing to prevent a driver's alleged sexual assault. While only one in five Uber drivers nationally are women, the feature remains available despite potential matching challenges due to gender imbalances in driver populations. Competitor Lyft launched a similar option nationwide in 2024, and Uber already offers this feature in six other countries.

Read at The Mercury News