Lyft is introducing a new feature that lets women and non-binary riders choose a preference to match with drivers of the same gender.

The ride-hailing company said it was a “highly requested feature” in a blog post Tuesday, saying the new feature allows women and non-binary people to “feel that much more confident” in using Lyft and also hopefully encourage more women to sign up to be drivers to access its “flexible earning opportunities.”

The service, called “Women+ Connect,” is rolling out in the coming months. Riders can turn on the option in the Lyft app, however the company warns that it’s not a guarantee that they’ll be matched with a women or non-binary person if one of those people aren’t nearby. Both the riders and drivers will need to opt-in to the feature for it work and riders must chose a gender for it to work.

  • The Pantser
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    2910 months ago

    It’s not equal if it gives special treatment to one but not both. Why can’t I request a specific driver as a man. What if I don’t feel safe with a woman driver based on stereotypes like the woman and trans passengers are. If they assume the male driver is going to make comments or passes at them then I as a male passenger should be able to assume the woman driver might be bad and get me in an accident.

    • AnonTwo
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      210 months ago

      To be fair, the only thing wrong with it is that it doesn’t have an option for males

      And based on another comment, it doesn’t let you pick a driver, rather it lets you pick the same gender as yourself.

      So the option probably should be available, and would only allow a male to request another male.

    • czech
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      -310 months ago

      There are thousands of sexual assaults on ride share apps every year which disproportionately affect women so the current system is not equal. We’re talking about the difference between equal outcomes and equal treatment.

      https://imgur.com/9tmxW07

    • @ParsnipWitch@feddit.de
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      -710 months ago

      Statistics and rational thought is not on your side here. You just come off as incredibly unempathetic. Imagine being so butthurt of something not revolving around yourself that you get angry at a feature that will increase the safety of other people.

      • @Soulg@lemmy.world
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        510 months ago

        The law is on his side though. Good to see that your only response is belittlement and insults, though.