The streets have spoken, and Lyft is answering. With the introduction of its new feature, “Women+ Connect,” the ride-hailing giant is not only addressing the concerns of many riders but also making a bold statement: they are listening.
“Women+ Connect” by Lyft
In a candid blog post unveiled on Tuesday, Lyft described its new feature as one that was “highly requested.”
Responding to User Requests
“Women+ Connect” is an attempt to make rides safer and more comfortable for women and non-binary riders.
Boosting Confidence for Riders
The premise is seemingly simple: let riders match with drivers of the same gender.
Enhancing Safety and Comfort for Women and Non-Binary Riders
This move, Lyft believes, will make many in their user base “feel that much more confident” when they get into the back seat of a Lyft car.
Encouraging Gender Balance Among Drivers
But there’s more to it than just safety. Lyft is also sounding the horns of opportunity.
By offering this feature, they hope to entice more women to get into the driver’s seat and tap into “flexible earning opportunities.”
Gender Matching for a Safer Ride
Considering that only 23% of its drivers are women, despite them making up “nearly half” of its riders, this feature might be the nudge needed to even out the scales.
Opting into the “Women+ Connect” Feature
The road to implementing “Women+ Connect” isn’t without its bumps.
Riders keen on using the feature would need to opt in and select a gender within the app.
Realistic Expectations
However, the company was quick to set realistic expectations: opting for the feature doesn’t guarantee a female or non-binary driver, especially if none are in the area.
Both drivers and riders must choose to be a part of this system for it to truly work.
Addressing Safety Concerns in the Ride-Hailing Industry
The larger landscape, though, throws light on why such a feature is in demand.
Both Lyft and its arch-rival, Uber, have not been strangers to controversy. Safety concerns have been a persistent shadow.
Safety Issues in Lyft’s History
A safety report prompted by a CNN investigation revealed that between 2017 and 2019, Lyft had received a huge 4,158 reports of sexual assault.
Though Lyft was quick to highlight that these incidents were an exception and not the rule – with 99% of rides in the given timeframe reporting no safety concerns – the numbers remain an issue.
The Financial and Legal Implications for Lyft
The ripple effects of these disclosures hit Lyft’s financial shores.
A $25 million settlement was reached with shareholders, addressing the concerns surrounding statements and disclosures about the company’s operations, particularly those focusing on assault-related incidents.
This all happened as the backdrop to Lyft’s public debut in 2019.
Collaborative Efforts with Uber for Safety
The industry-wide concern for safety saw Lyft and Uber join forces in a rather unprecedented manner in March 2021.
They declared a commitment to share names of drivers deactivated due to severe safety incidents, with sexual assaults topping the list.
Lyft’s Collaboration with Outside Organizations
This joint venture, a notable attempt at transparency, places HireRight – a consumer reporting agency – at its helm.
Input from Influential Organizations
Behind the scenes, Lyft’s “Women+ Connect” is more than just lines of code in an app; it is symbolic of collaboration. The development of the feature saw inputs from significant outside organizations.
Names like the Human Rights Campaign and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives were crucial contributors, emphasizing Lyft’s commitment to the cause.
The Potential Industry-Wide Impact of “Women+ Connect
As this feature unfolds, it promises not only a potential increase in the female driver workforce but also a shift in how ride-hailing services manage safety and inclusivity in their operations.
With riders and drivers across the spectrum watching closely, Lyft’s latest move could very well steer the direction of the entire industry.
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The post Thousands of Sexual Assaults Lead To Lyft’s ‘Women+ Connect’ Feature – Gender Matching for a Safer Ride Empowers Women first appeared on Wealthy Living.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock /Diego Thomazini . The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Edition.CNN