A new Uber feature that gives women more control over how they ride and drive on the platform has rolled out in Houston.
Why it matters: Safety and comfort have long been top concerns for women who use ride-hailing services, both as riders and drivers.
Uber cited 2,717 cases of sexual assault and misconduct between 2021 and 2022 — a 22% drop from the year before — according to its latest U.S. safety report.
Driving the news: Uber launched its "Women Preferences" pilot in July in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit. The company announced it's expanding to 26 new cities this week, including Houston.
How it works: Women riders will be able to choose "women drivers" when requesting a ride and set a permanent preference for women drivers in their account settings.
Women drivers will be able to turn on a feature that allows them to receive requests only from women, even during high-demand hours.
Friction point: The feature has sparked backlash from conservative groups and a class-action lawsuit by male drivers in California who say it discriminates against men and limits their earning opportunities, per Time.
Women drivers make up about one in five Uber drivers in the U.S.
There's a "fallback option" for riders who don't want to wait, or if the wait is too long.
The big picture: Uber's move mirrors Lyft's "Women+ Connect" program, also available in Houston.
