Lyft Introduces Women Plus Connect Feature to Prioritize Safety and Inclusivity
In a bid to enhance safety and inclusivity, Lyft has introduced a new feature called Women Plus Connect. This opt-in, preference-based feature aims to identify and prioritize women and nonbinary riders. While the feature is currently only available for Lyft drivers, it will expand to passengers and more cities in the near future.
The concept behind Women Plus Connect is simple: drivers can choose to toggle the feature on or off in the driver preferences section of the Lyft app. On the other hand, riders will see a prompt that allows them to opt in or decline. Additionally, riders can update their profiles with their gender selection.
Lyft has emphasized that Women Plus Connect is not a guaranteed service. In areas where there are no customers of the preferred gender, drivers and passengers may still be connected with individuals of the opposite gender. Nevertheless, the rideshare company hopes that this feature will foster a safer and more inclusive environment on its platform.
Lyft collaborated with several organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign and the National Sheriffs’ Association, to create Women Plus Connect. The goal is to provide more opportunities for women and nonbinary individuals to earn money on their own terms, while also giving riders more choice.
David Risher, CEO of Lyft, stated, Women+ Connect is all about providing more women and nonbinary people the opportunity to earn money on their terms and giving riders more choice. We hope this gives millions of drivers and riders another reason to choose Lyft.
This move by Lyft aligns with the rideshare industry’s ongoing efforts to implement safety measures. Uber, for example, has introduced seatbelt alerts and Live Help features, which connect users with real-time safety agents. Lyft itself launched a panic button and check-in feature in 2019 to help deter crime and sexual assault.
The introduction of Women Plus Connect and other safety measures comes in response to numerous allegations of assault and sexual assault in rideshare vehicles. These incidents, some of which resulted in fatalities, have led to legal repercussions and fines for Lyft and Uber.
It is important to note that there are also rideshare apps specifically designed for children or women, such as HopSkipDrive and Just Her. These platforms cater to the unique needs and concerns of these demographics.
Lyft’s Women Plus Connect feature is currently available in Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. However, the company plans to expand the feature to more cities in the coming months.
Lyft encourages users to learn more about setting preferences by referring to their FAQ section. For more information on Lyft’s driverless robotaxis and Uber’s options for parents, be sure to check out our related coverage.
Ultimately, Lyft’s Women Plus Connect feature seeks to prioritize the safety and inclusivity of its platform, granting users more control and choice while earning or traveling.
