Uber has rolled out a Women Drivers option in South Africa, letting female passengers choose female drivers for their trips. The move comes as part of Uber’s push for safer, more inclusive transport options across the country.
“Safety is top of mind for many women when they travel,” said Deepesh Thomas, Uber Sub-Saharan Africa GM. “With Women Drivers, we’re giving passengers the choice to ride with a female driver — a small app update that makes a big difference in confidence and peace of mind.”
The service has been tested internationally and is now adapted for South African riders, where safety is a major concern. Female drivers can see when a request comes from this service and choose whether to accept the trip. They can also cancel rides at no cost if a passenger is travelling with a male companion and they feel unsafe.
Built on Safety
Women Drivers rides come with Uber’s safety features like GPS tracking, Share My Trip, RideCheck, and 24/7 emergency support. Uber has not confirmed whether pricing will differ from standard options like UberX or UberGo.
Not the Only Player
Uber isn’t the first e-hailing company to launch women-focused rides. Bolt introduced Women Only rides in 2021, now available in 12 South African cities. Local startups like Kgosigadi Rides and Wanatu also cater exclusively to female riders or let users request female drivers.
The launch comes amid rising safety concerns in South Africa’s e-hailing industry, which has seen reports of passenger attacks. New regulations from the Department of Transport now require e-hailing drivers to have operating permits, visible branding, and panic buttons to connect to emergency services.
With this launch, Uber hopes to give women more choice, reassurance, and control over their journeys — and female drivers more opportunities to earn safely.