Rideshare company Lyft is expanding a recently-introduced policy designed to make its female and non-binary drivers and passengers feel safer.
It's called Women+ Connect.
The newer feature on the app allows drivers and passengers to be paired with a female or non-binary person when one is available.
The program recently rolled out in Salt Lake City.
Honestly, it brought tears to my eyes because I have been waiting for this,” driver Cynthia Cooper said.
“These are conversations I’ve been having with my passengers for years...I’ve picked up so many women that have been at the bars, picked up women from parties, non-binary folks, LGBTQIA folks who are just wanting to find a safe ride home, and sometimes they just don’t feel safe in certain circumstances."
"I had a guy like snarling in my car. I’ve had people try to get into the front seat. I’ve had many times where I’ve almost been attacked, and I’ve been assaulted," she added.
"Female riders told me that they stopped taking rideshare in general until they heard about this."
Cooper said she hopes the company advertises the new option even more.
“That would be a really great thing to be able to say...women, non-binary, trans folks to be able to come out and say, ‘Hey, I can go and I can drive at night,’" she said.
"A girl traveling alone with another girl sometimes makes you feel safer than maybe a girl traveling with a guy," traveler Emma Stallings said.
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