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Uber has introduced a new feature in New York City allowing female riders to request female drivers, aiming to enhance safety and comfort for women using the ride-share service. This option, part of Uber's "Women Preferences" initiative, was rolled out nationwide, including in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The feature, which originated in Saudi Arabia in 2019, has expanded to over 40 countries globally.
In New York City, where only about 6% of the 178,000 Taxi and Limousine Commission-licensed drivers are women, the demand for female drivers is expected to rise. However, the supply remains a challenge, as only 15% to 18% of rideshare drivers in the U.S. are women, a number that decreases during overnight hours due to safety concerns.
Veronica Martinez, a seasoned Uber and Lyft driver, shared her thoughts with NY1, saying, "I always worry about my safety, but, you know, I'm a person of faith." Despite concerns, she doesn't limit her passengers to just females, highlighting the rigorous background checks and safety measures for drivers in New York City.
The introduction of this feature comes amid ongoing lawsuits against Uber and Lyft, with claims of discrimination against male drivers. In California, two Uber drivers filed a class-action lawsuit, arguing the feature violates the Unruh Act, which prohibits sex discrimination by businesses. However, Uber maintains that the feature addresses a critical safety need, as noted in a report by NBC News.
The initiative aims to attract more female drivers to the platform, with Uber launching a media campaign featuring athletes like Alex Morgan to promote the feature. While the feature is not available to nonbinary riders or drivers, Uber stated that it consulted with women's safety organizations and LGBTQ+ groups during its development.
Despite the challenges, Uber hopes the Women Preferences option will provide a safer and more comfortable experience for women riders and drivers alike.
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