Uber's introduction of a women-only driver option has sparked an online debate.

Known for being efficient, user-friendly, and more affordable than traditional taxi services, Uber has been leading the way with its app.

However, the recent decision to allow users to choose women-only drivers has ignited significant discussion across the internet.

As per Uber's website, the Women Rider Preference enables 'Lessor Partners who identify as women or non-binary to set a preference for picking up women Users'.

To opt for women drivers, users can adjust their preferences by opening the Uber app, accessing the Trip Planner via the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, tapping the preference icon, and toggling the ‘Women Rider’ option on or off.

Nonetheless, Uber has stated that they 'cannot guarantee that all Users matched while using this feature will be women, or appear in a way that you would identify as a woman'.

Uber's new feature has sparked a debate online (Getty stock images/Uber)

“If you are matched with someone you believe to be a male User while using this feature, you may cancel the lease and select ‘I selected trips with women riders’ as your cancellation reason,” it explains.

It adds: “Please remember that the Uber community is incredibly diverse, including people of all gender identities and expressions. Some women Users may not express their gender or appear in a way that matches your perception of ‘femininity'.”

To utilize the Women Rider Preference, users must sign a form to ‘certify that your recent gender update in-app is an accurate representation of your identity’.

Those who have come across this new option have taken to social media to highlight a significant aspect they believe needs attention.

The cost.

Uber's pricing varies based on the car type, journey length, and other factors.

Yet, users observed that the women-only driver preference appeared to be the most economical option, as shown in an app screenshot.

One individual commented: “Notice it’s the cheapest option.”

However, Uber clarified that they are not ‘pricing these trips to be higher or lower than other similar ones'.

Others expressed concern about the unfortunate ‘reality’ women face regarding safety with male drivers.

The New York Times reported that between 2017 and 2022, there were 400,181 Uber trips in the US that resulted in reports of sexual assault and misconduct, raising alarms about women’s safety when alone with male drivers.

People have noticed its pay difference (Instagram/@todayyearsold)

Social media users quickly linked this issue to the women-only driver option, suggesting it could further protect women from being assaulted or harassed during their rides.

One user wrote: “The necessity for this is saddening.”

Another commented: “I love that I have so many friends who have had to call me feeling mad uncomfortable with their driver.”

Someone else mentioned: “Genuinely no offense, just reading that felt safe.”

Others mentioned that the post made them reconsider, as they weren't sure if Uber was emphasizing the ‘safety’ of women or the ‘gender pay gap’ since a cheaper ride could mean less pay for the female driver.

In a statement to Tyla, Uber mentioned that they are not pricing the rides differently and are ‘confident in how we’ve designed these features because we’re not changing the user experience for anyone else.’.

It stated: “These are optional features for women, grounded in feedback from riders and drivers, and built to offer more choice and control – without changing the experience for others. And we’ll keep refining it as we listen and learn.”

For those providing ‘false or misleading account information—including gender’, Uber states it is a ‘violation of the General Terms of Use and Community Guidelines and may result in account action’.

Regarding the price difference, it affirms ‘these trips are priced the same as other equivalent trips on the platform’ and there are ‘variables that can affect pricing’, but they are not ‘pricing these trips to be higher or lower than other similar ones'.