To ensure the comfort and safety of both passengers and drivers, Lyft is launching a new feature specifically designed for women and nonbinary users.
Called Women Plus Connect, this interactive platform matches women with female or non-inclusive drivers. Female or nonbinary Lyft drivers have the option to enable or disable this feature. Women and non-couple passengers can quickly indicate their preference by selecting “Count me in” or “No thanks.”
The feature is currently available in Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose, with plans to expand to more cities in the future. Lyft will also allow passengers and drivers in these initial cities to update their gender within the app.
Here’s a preview of what Lyft users will see in Women Plus Connect.
Lyft clarifies that this feature does not guarantee a match, but rather seeks to align the interests of women and nonbinary drivers and passengers. In cases where no appropriate driver is available in the vicinity, Lyft may contact the passenger’s preferred driver to ensure their comfort and security. The company has developed this feature in collaboration with organizations including the Human Rights Campaign and the National Sheriffs’ Association, with the goal of enhancing platform safety and inclusivity.
“Women + Connect aims to provide more opportunities for women and non-binary individuals to earn on their own terms, while also offering riders greater choice,” said Lyft CEO David Risher. “We hope this gives millions of drivers and passengers another reason to choose Lyft.”
In recent years, the ride-sharing industry has implemented various safety measures to protect drivers and passengers. Uber, for example, has introduced seat belt notifications, a Live Help feature connecting users with real-time safety assistants, and the ability to record audio during rides. Lyft itself introduced a panic button in 2019, allowing users to quickly contact emergency services to prevent crime and assault. Moreover, there are ridesharing apps catering to specific demographics, such as HopSkipDrive and Just Her Rideshare, which focus on transporting children and women, respectively.
These security measures have been put in place following a series of assaults and rapes that occurred in ride-hailing vehicles, some of which resulted in tragic fatalities. These incidents led to numerous lawsuits and fines against both Lyft and Uber.
To learn more about setting up preferences within the Lyft app, you can consult Lyft’s FAQ page. Additionally, be sure to check out our articles on Lyft’s driverless robotaxis and Uber’s services for parents.
