By The Diary
Of the more than 178,000 drivers licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) in New York City, only about 6% (11,000) are women.
This is expected to increase and there will be greater demand, after Uber launched last March the option for passengers to request female drivers. Lyft created the same option in 2023he recalled NY1 Records.
The reality is that There is a supply problem both in New York and nationally: only 15-18% of ride-hailing drivers in the US are women. This is stated by Sergio Avedian, collaborator of The Rideshare Guytransportation sharing news portal
«The problem arises during the closing hours of the bars; We call it “the drunken hours” Avedian commented. «That percentage, which ranges between 15% and 18%, is reduced by half again. That is, half of that half, since “Female drivers choose not to work during those hours of greatest alcohol consumption.”
These drivers claim to be worried about their safety; However, it is precisely passenger safety complaints that have put Uber and Lyft on the defensive. Thousands of passengers have filed lawsuits alleging sexual assaults by male drivers. Avedian suggested that Having a greater number of female drivers could help prevent future complaints.
“So, they see it this way: ‘Okay, if we do a proper marketing campaign, we will be able to recruit many more female drivers and, in this way, the demands will gradually disappear,'” Avedian explained.
Uber stated that it created this selection feature in response to women expressing their desire for this option. Verónica Martínez – who has driven for Uber and Lyft for 11 years – said that Female passengers are safer in the city thanks to government supervision.
“I always tell them: TLC drivers here in New York City have to pass a background check, specifically a criminal background check. We submit to drug tests -annual- and they take our fingerprints,” Martínez pointed out. “It is a secure system.”
Likewise, he stated that he is not overly concerned about his own safety and that he does not limit his service only to female passengers. “I know some women may think it carries some risks,” but “I like to pick up everyone, anyone, and give them all a chance.”
This year, two women who accused Uber drivers of sexual assault obtained judgments against the company; one of them amounted to $8 million dollars. There are also claims in California against Uber and Lyft filed by male drivers, who They allege that this function of selecting the gender of the driver will mean a reduction in the volume of trips for them and is discriminatory.