Uber has rolled out a new feature in New Orleans allowing female passengers to be matched specifically to female drivers. It’s a move the company has made in select cities across the country as part of a pilot effort that may expand nationally. Uber says this option is being made available to give women “more control over how they ride” and several locals thought it was a helpful feature they would be open to using.
Laura, a New Orleanian who has been following safety issues with Uber closely, noted when asked about the move, “I definitely feel safer when my driver is a woman. But, if you look at Uber’s history of mishandling sexual assault cases, this feature is a pink band-aid on a much bigger problem.” That said, the option being offered by Uber is quelling fears from some users about late-night car rides alone in the Crescent City. Another local, when asked about the addition of Uber’s “women only” feature, said, “I think it’s a great option especially if you’re out at night and drinking. To have that safety net in place of knowing you’re opting for a woman adds some peace of mind.”
Another local woman named Leslie pointed out that, while the move eases her mind when it comes to her own Uber rides, it also gives her a bit of peace knowing her loved ones are protected as well. “I’m a mom and have a daughter. If she needs an Uber and we can guarantee that it’s a female, that makes me feel a little better,” she went on to say.