In a bid to enhance safety for female riders, Uber is introducing a new feature in Chicago, starting Wednesday. This initiative, dubbed “women drivers,” allows adult women to select female drivers for their rides, a move that aims to provide an added layer of security and comfort.

The feature is not entirely new, having already been implemented in select cities. However, the upcoming launch in Chicago marks its most extensive rollout yet, expanding to 25 other cities simultaneously. This development has been closely monitored by the ABC7 I-Team, who have been keenly tracking its progress.

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The mechanics of this feature are straightforward. Female riders can opt for a “woman driver” when booking their rides, ensuring that their driver will be a woman. This option can be reserved and pre-scheduled, catering to those who prefer an additional assurance of safety.

Additionally, riders have the option to set a preference for a female driver within their app settings. However, it is important to note that this preference does not guarantee a match with a woman driver, thereby offering flexibility but without absolute certainty.

Brooke Anderson, Uber’s Head of Product Communications, elaborated on the necessity and origin of this feature, stating, “This is something that gives women more confidence, control, and choice. It’s a feature women have been asking for. The idea came from the women who use our platform. They told us having the choice to be matched with another woman would be beneficial.”

This is also something benefiting female drivers. Uber says women drivers can also set the same preferences by choosing the women rider preference, so they only have women riders.