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Uber’s pilot program allowing female passengers to request women drivers was meant to address long-standing safety concerns, but it has already sparked major debate. While many survivors and advocates welcomed the move as overdue, others pointed out troubling details that raise new questions about fairness and effectiveness.
The most glaring issue is pricing. Screenshots from Uber’s own app suggest that trips under the women-driver preference sometimes cost less than other ride types. That may sound like a benefit for passengers, but for women drivers, it could mean smaller fares and lower tips. In an industry where driver earnings are already under pressure, a cheaper “female-only” ride could unintentionally worsen the gender pay gap.
The pilot also comes with limits. Uber itself warns that it cannot guarantee riders will always be matched with a woman, leaving survivors uncertain whether the feature truly offers added protection. Moreover, Uber says of the pilot program, “Please be mindful that the Uber community is remarkably diverse, including people of all gender identities and expressions. Some women Users may not express their gender or appear in a way that matches your perception of ‘femininity’.”
Furthermore, because drivers remain classified as independent contractors, Uber avoids requiring safety measures such as in-car cameras or mandatory training that experts have long argued would reduce risk.
For many, the very need for such a feature underscores the broader failure: Uber’s inability to protect riders in the first place. With more than 400,000 reports of sexual assault or misconduct linked to Uber rides between 2017 and 2022, according to a recent New York Times report, the demand for safer options is clear. But unless Uber ensures that women drivers are not penalized financially, and unless the option is rolled out consistently and transparently, this pilot may end up solving little while creating new inequities.
Advocacy and awareness can push Uber to broaden and improve its safety updates. To prevent rideshare sexual assault, visit our guide, and if you’re a survivor wanting to learn more about your legal options, visit ur comprehensive Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit Guide.
You can also start your free case review process by filling out the brief form below. But time is of the essence as a settlement could be reached any day between Uber and the approximately 500 claimants in California court. California trials are scheduled to begin in September, which is only days away. As for the more than 2,400 federal lawsuits consolidated in a multidistrict litigation, the first test case (“bellwether trials”) are slated for December 8, 2025.
