RIDEGURU
Hey everyone,
My name is Zara and I'm currently a third-year student studying geography at university. I am completing my dissertation on the gig-economy and gender, focusing particularly on capitalist platforms such as Uber and why not as many work for Uber and if they do what are their experiences as well as what it is like for women riders. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts if you would like to share, please do so by replying to my post.
if this interests you and you have thoughts and feeling to express, or you are a women driver or knows someone who is and their experiences and would be comfortable taking part in a short online interview then that also would be much appreciated.
If you would like to get in touch
reply to my question here 'What are type of experience do women have with Uber? both riders and drivers' or email me at [email protected]
Many Thanks
Zara
Comments
For female drivers, they watch the hours and locations. Those are two great ways to stay safe.
Stay away from weekend nights when there are drunk people. Certain neighborhoods are no good, especially at nights.
Thank you for your comment!
Yes that makes a lot of sense, Do you think the issue of safety is the biggest problem facing female drivers?
Safety is definitely the biggest thing. You may think there may be discrimination but ironically, not so much. I think we get the same number of requests. (though it'd be interesting to see if there is actually a difference.)
Speaking of discrimination, here's a small piece of Uber history. Uber used to display full names of the drivers when people were looking for rides. It was for transparency, accountability, etc. It wasn't a big deal back then because this was during the time all drivers were professional livery drivers. Of course, as normal people started driving through UberX, that's when the privacy became more important. That's when they allowed (or at least provided the option) to display only your first name and last initial. This provided a layer of privacy.
The problem arose though, when they heard a claim that riders were using the first names to identify certain drivers. For example, racist people would decline drivers with foreign names or …
Read more...
Safety is definitely the biggest thing. You may think there may be discrimination but ironically, not so much. I think we get the same number of requests. (though it'd be interesting to see if there is actually a difference.)
Speaking of discrimination, here's a small piece of Uber history. Uber used to display full names of the drivers when people were looking for rides. It was for transparency, accountability, etc. It wasn't a big deal back then because this was during the time all drivers were professional livery drivers. Of course, as normal people started driving through UberX, that's when the privacy became more important. That's when they allowed (or at least provided the option) to display only your first name and last initial. This provided a layer of privacy.
The problem arose though, when they heard a claim that riders were using the first names to identify certain drivers. For example, racist people would decline drivers with foreign names or predators would target women. Yes, all by first name. And also the photo too.
That's when Uber lifted the requirement for drivers to use real names, initials, or photos. There are still some mandates (like you can't make up an initial or make it a weird name), but I know if you contact them, they will make exceptions.
Sorry for the longwinded response, but I thought it was an interesting topic.
Read less...
Thank you so much, it's much appreciated. That's so interesting but it makes a lot sense that some people would be prejudice against others as well as predators using it as a way to scout for potential targets.
Do you think this new privacy regulation of Uber lifting the requirement for real names and photos has helped decrease the issue of safety?
I am a rider and am always very wary of my male drivers, child locks on doors (ensuring the door isn't locked), making sure they are following the map, keeping my husband aware of where I am or if anything feels off, always sitting in the back. These are just some of the things that are always on my mind.
Yeah I completely get where you are coming from. I am the same and are always cautious whenever I get into a Uber I always track my journey to make sure they are taking me to the correct destination. With the countless times I've used Uber over the years I only ever had one female driver.
Bathroom is a big one. This may fall under "safety", but finding a bathroom is a hardship for Uber drivers.
Male drivers can go in the bushes, pee in bottles, and those dirty gas stations bathrooms up the dark alley. For females, many of these options are not possible.
Thank you! That is actually something I did not think of. As a female myself I can imagine it being especially hard to find a safe space especially if you are in desperate need of the toilet.
Are you a driver yourself?
Are you looking for women riders/drivers in a certain area or worldwide?
Worldwide, I'm not focusing on a specific location. I'm just interested in female drivers and their experiences with Uber. If you have anything you would like to share that would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
You may want to look into Uber copycats for female drivers and riders. There was a huge push for them in the past. I am not sure how they are doing these days.
Chariot for Women (later Safr) was one of the largest. and DriveHER.
Great! Thank you so much that's very helpful for me.