Uber Expands Women-Only Ride Option Nationwide

The new feature allows women riders and drivers to be matched, despite ongoing lawsuits over discrimination claims.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Uber has launched a nationwide feature that allows women riders and drivers to be matched for trips, expanding a pilot program aimed at addressing safety concerns. The new 'Women Drivers' option is being rolled out across the U.S. despite ongoing lawsuits in California that argue the policy is discriminatory against men. Rival Lyft also faces a similar lawsuit over its 'Women+Connect' feature.

Why it matters

Uber and other ride-hailing companies have long faced criticism over safety issues, including thousands of reports of sexual assaults. The new women-only feature is intended to address these concerns, but it has sparked legal challenges over potential discrimination.

The details

The 'Women Drivers' feature allows women riders to request a female driver through the Uber app. Passengers can opt for another ride if the wait is too long, or they can reserve a trip with a woman driver in advance. Female users can also set a preference for a woman driver, though this is not a guarantee. Uber is also allowing teen account users to request women drivers. On the driver side, women can set preferences to receive trips from female riders, which they can turn off at any time.

  • Uber launched the 'Women Drivers' feature nationwide on March 9, 2026.
  • Uber piloted the feature in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Detroit last summer and expanded it to 26 U.S. cities in November.

The players

Uber

A ride-hailing company based in San Francisco that has faced criticism over safety issues, including thousands of reports of sexual assaults.

Lyft

A rival ride-hailing company that also offers a women-only feature called 'Women+Connect' and is facing a lawsuit over it.

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What’s next

The lawsuits filed against Uber and Lyft over their women-only features are ongoing, and the courts will ultimately decide the legality of these policies.

The takeaway

Uber's new women-only ride option highlights the ongoing challenges ride-hailing companies face in balancing safety concerns with potential discrimination issues. As these services continue to evolve, finding the right balance will be crucial for maintaining trust and serving all customers equitably.