Lyft is introducing a new feature called Women Plus Connect, aimed at making rideshare more convenient and safe for both passengers and drivers. The interactive system prioritizes women and single riders, allowing drivers to choose if they want to connect with them. Drivers can easily turn this feature on or off in the app preferences, and even have the option to select their gender on their profile.
Currently, Women Plus Connect is only available for Lyft drivers, but the company plans to roll it out to more riders and cities in the near future. The service will initially be launched in Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose.
Preview of the Women Plus Connect feature in Lyft.
The availability of Women Plus Connect is not guaranteed, as it depends on the number of interested customers in a particular area. If there are no customers interested, drivers and passengers may be connected without gender preference. Lyft has partnered with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the National Sheriffs’ Association to develop this feature, aiming to enhance safety and inclusivity on the platform.
“Women Plus Connect aims to provide more opportunities for women and non-binary individuals to earn money on their own terms, while also giving riders more choice,” said Lyft CEO David Risher. “We hope this is an added incentive for millions of drivers and passengers to choose Lyft.”
Over the years, rideshare companies have implemented various safety measures to ensure the well-being of drivers and passengers. For instance, Uber has introduced seat belt notifications, Live Help for real-time safety assistance, and audio recording capabilities during rides. Lyft, on the other hand, added a 911 panic button in 2019 to prevent crime and assault. Additionally, there are specialized rideshare programs like HopSkipDrive and Just Her, which cater to the safety of children and women.
These security measures were implemented in response to a series of assaults and rapes that occurred in ride-hailing services, some of which resulted in lawsuits and fines against Lyft and Uber.
To learn more about setting up preferences, consult Lyft’s FAQ. Don’t forget to check out our articles on Lyft’s driverless robotaxis and Uber’s options for parents.
