Uber has launched its Women Driver feature in South Africa, giving female riders the option to choose women drivers only.
Why it matters
- Safety concerns remain one of the biggest barriers for women using ride-hailing apps in South Africa.
- The feature not only boosts confidence for women passengers but also opens up more economic opportunities for women drivers.
How it works
- Women riders who identify as female in the Uber app can opt for the Women Driver feature.
- When a trip is requested, women drivers are notified that it was made via the feature.
- Drivers can decline requests they’re uncomfortable with — such as when a rider brings along additional passengers — with the trip canceled automatically.
What they’re saying
- “It’s a simple update in the app, but one that delivers a significant boost in confidence, peace of mind, and control,” said Deepesh Thomas, GM for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Uber said the rollout builds on learnings from the U.S. and was “localized to meet the specific needs of South African riders and drivers.”
The big picture
- South Africa is among Uber’s toughest markets, where safety perceptions strongly influence mobility choices.
- The company is under pressure to improve rider and driver safety after warning in July of a possible service shutdown without key improvements.
Source: Hypertext
