Uber starting women-only driver options in U.S., Savannah travelers react

by Joe Hennessy

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Uber, the popular ride-sharing app, is offering a pilot program catering to women’s preferences in three major cities in the United States soon.

Uber said that, throughout the country, about 1 in 5 of their drivers are women.

As a tourist destination, Savannah welcomes thousands of people year-round that need to use Uber or other ride-sharing apps to get around.

Soon, the app could have a new “Women Preferences” option for what they say is more choice, confidence, and flexibility.

Women riders will soon have more ways to choose rides with women drivers:

Request on-demand
- When requesting a trip on demand, women riders will see an option called Women Drivers. If the wait time is longer than anticipated, they can always opt for another ride with a faster pickup.
Reserve in advance
- For more planning and certainty, women riders can use Reserve to pre-book a trip with women drivers.
Set a preference
- Riders can set a preference for a woman driver in their app settings. While it’s not guaranteed, turning on the Women preference increases your chances of being matched with a woman driver.

Travelers at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport taking an Uber on Thursday, for the most part, shared similar thoughts, that this is a good and safe thing for women.

“I think that would be a great option considering all the sex trafficking and human trafficking they’re doing right now. A woman would feel safer with a female driver,” said Toby Buchanan.

Alexis Shaffer was with her mom and aunt, waiting for their ride, too.

“Especially being a young girl in her 20s, it would be more comfortable having a woman rather than a gentleman,” she said.

Some feel there are systems in place already to keep themselves safe, but understand why others might toggle their settings towards the woman-only preference.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea, I guessed I’d say I’m pretty neutral about it. I have never felt uncomfortable in an Uber, but I know I’ve heard stories of people who are,” said Ellie Sanders.

Uber first launched Women Rider Preference in Saudi Arabia in 2019, and it’s since expanded to 40 countries. Uber said the option will be tested in Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco soon.

For the full press release from Uber, click HERE.