Lyft announced a new feature on Tuesday to allow women and "nonbinary" riders to prioritize being matched with female or "nonbinary" drivers.
The company said in a press release that the "Women+ Connect" initiative "offers the option to turn on a preference in the Lyft app to prioritize matches with other nearby women and nonbinary riders. If no women or nonbinary riders are nearby, drivers with the preference on will still be matched with men as Women+ Connect is a preference feature, not a guarantee."
Lyft said in their announcement that while women make up nearly half of riders, they account for just 23 percent of drivers on the platform.
The company is promoting the effort as a way for more women and "nonbinary" people to feel safe and make more money by working in the evening.
“This opens up a new opportunity to make money in those twilight hours where there's income potential. . . It could lead to cool experiences, chats, and camaraderie within this community.” said a woman named Cametria H., driver since 2018 who has given over 2,000 rides, in the company's press release.
Another driver, Mimi F., a mother who has given 20,000 rides in the past ten years, said in the press release that Women+ Connect “gives me an extra added layer of confidence when I want it, so that I can keep driving whenever it works for me."
"When the feature goes live in a city, women and nonbinary riders will be prompted in their Lyft app to select ‘Count me in,’ which will increase their chances of matching with women and nonbinary drivers," the company said. "Women and nonbinary drivers will see the same opt in. Anyone can update their preferences or opt out in their settings at any time."
The feature will roll out first in Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose.
“Women+ Connect is all about providing more women and nonbinary people the opportunity to earn money on their terms and giving riders more choice,” said Lyft CEO David Risher. “We hope this gives millions of drivers and riders another reason to choose Lyft.”
