Uber and Bolt, two of the leading ride-hailing companies, have unveiled new initiatives in Paris aimed at enhancing the safety of women using their services. Uber introduced a “Uber by Women” option, allowing female passengers to specifically request a ride with a female driver. The service is available at no additional cost, though users may experience longer waiting times compared to the standard ride-hailing option.

This move comes as Uber continues to face scrutiny over numerous claims of sexual assault and harassment involving its drivers. In response, the company has launched similar services in other European nations, hoping to provide a safer environment for women. However, Uber has acknowledged that the waiting time for the women-only service could average 15 minutes, in contrast to just 4 minutes for a regular ride.

To further support this initiative, Uber aims to attract more female drivers to the platform by offering them significant reductions in the fees they typically pay on each ride. Laureline Serieys, Uber’s head in France, expressed that the “Uber by Women” option could be a game changer, particularly for women who might not have otherwise considered a career in ride-hailing. She described it as an excellent opportunity to increase the appeal of the profession to women.

At the same time, Bolt, Uber’s competitor, is rolling out a similar offering in France called “Women by Women,” which is expected to be available by the end of 2024. Bolt’s French director, Julien Mouyeket, stressed the importance of ensuring safety for female passengers, adding that the initiative would cater to the safety needs of both women using the service and those driving.

Both companies are now hoping their new services will address longstanding concerns about safety in the ride-hailing industry while offering women drivers an opportunity to join the sector with added incentives.