Uber Launches Pilot Program Allowing Women to Opt Out of Male Pairings

By Roy J. Miles

Uber has introduced a new safety- and comfort-focused feature in the United States that allows women riders and drivers to request same-gender pairings. Dubbed “Women Preferences,” the feature was announced via Uber’s official newsroom blog on July 23, 2025, and will be piloted in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit in the coming weeks. This marks a significant expansion of Uber’s earlier rollout of a similar service in more than 40 countries since its launch in Saudi Arabia in 2019. The company says the move responds to years of user feedback signaling a desire for greater control and personalization in ride-sharing experiences. Women riders will see an option labeled “Women Drivers” when booking a ride—either on demand or via Uber Reserve—and can set a default preference in their settings, increasing their likelihood of being matched with a female driver, though pairing is not guaranteed. Similarly, women drivers may activate a “Women Rider Preference,” ensuring they receive ride requests only from women riders; both sides can disable the feature at any time. Uber emphasizes that the option improves choice, control, and comfort, especially during evening or late-night rides. However, the company acknowledges potential increases in wait times, given that a majority of its driver base remains male. Uber officials highlighted that rolling out the functionality in the U.S. required careful testing and customization in markets such as Germany and France, where similar preferences had been refined to ensure usability and avoid symbolic tokenism. During a press statement, Camiel Irving, Uber’s Vice President of U.S. and Canada Operations, said in essence: “When we asked women riders and drivers what they wanted, they said more choice and comfort—and we listened.” Uber also notes that by mid-2025, female drivers comprised approximately 20% of its U.S. workforce, and women represent nearly 48% of riders, underscoring the relevance of the new feature. In parallel, Uber’s 2024 safety report showed a 22% year-over-year reduction in reported serious sexual misconduct incidents, illustrating progress in platform security that the new tool aims to reinforce. Media analysis suggests that Uber is reacting in part to competitive pressure from Lyft, which introduced a similar option under its “Women+ Connect” brand in 2023. Reports from Barron’s indicate that Uber’s share price rose by over 2% on the day the announcement was made, while Lyft shares dropped, signaling investor perception of Uber’s catch-up move and focus on safety features. Some analysts expect that operating in cities with fewer women drivers may test the feature’s effectiveness, raising concerns about reliability and fairness. Legal and civil rights experts warn that while the feature is intended for safety—not exclusion—it must be implemented in compliance with anti-discrimination laws to avoid unintended exclusion of male riders or drivers. They point out ambiguity around non-binary inclusion; Uber has not confirmed whether gender-nonconforming users will have access to equivalent options at present. Consumer feedback from pilot cities in Detroit reflects both enthusiasm and caveats. Some riders expressed relief at having choice when riding alone at night; others noted that in lower-supply areas, the preference sometimes resulted in prolonged wait times or limited availability. Drivers similarly welcomed the ability to avoid male passenger pairing during off-hours, citing enhanced comfort and perception of safety. Uber plans to closely measure metrics such as wait times, matching rates, incidents per trip, and usage frequency to determine whether to expand Women Preferences to other regions. The company also indicates it will solicit user feedback and engage in partnerships with safety and women’s advocacy organizations to refine functionality. The rollout will include in-app education and mobile notifications to increase visibility among eligible users. While Uber positions the pilot as a meaningful step toward equitable and personalized mobility, critics stress the importance of ensuring the feature doesn't reinforce gender segregation or diminish opportunities for male drivers. Uber’s statement underscores that preferences are voluntary and that traditional matching remains the norm unless toggled by the user. As ride-hailing platforms evolve, Uber’s Women Preferences feature may set new precedents for user-directed matchmaking rooted in comfort and safety. Whether it becomes a mainstay offering will depend on successful demonstration of reliability, compliance with legal norms, and measurable outcomes in user satisfaction and safety reports. The launch arrives amid sustained legal scrutiny over platform safety; Uber faces ongoing multidistrict litigation over alleged sexual assaults and safety lapses dating back to 2024, reinforcing the urgency of proactive user protections. Ultimately, the pilot reflects Uber’s strategic shift toward customer empowerment—while highlighting the complex balance between personalization, operational constraints, and inclusive design in modern mobility services.