In a step toward inclusivity, Lyft has rolled out a brand new feature; Women+ Connect.

The service aims to boost the confidence and comfort of women and nonbinary people on its platform. While women make up almost half of Lyft riders, they constitute just 23% of drivers, according to a recent Lyft survey.

This new feature is designed to increase this number by offering a more controlled and comfortable driving experience.

“Women+ Connect is all about providing more women and nonbinary people the opportunity to earn money on their terms and giving riders more choice,” said Lyft CEO David Risher in a press release for the feature. With the advent of Women+ Connect, Lyft has set its sights on changing these statistics and enhancing the overall rideshare experience for both drivers and riders.

How Does Women+ Connect Work?

The innovative feature allows women and nonbinary drivers to choose to match with women and nonbinary riders. A preference setting within the Lyft app makes this possible. It's important to note, however, that the feature serves as a preference rather than a guarantee. If there are no women or nonbinary riders nearby, the driver with this preference activated will still match with a male driver.

The feature is coming to a city near you. Credit: Oscar Wong / Getty

When the feature launches in a city, women and nonbinary riders will receive a prompt in their Lyft app, encouraging them to opt into Women+ Connect. This would heighten their chances of matching with women and nonbinary drivers.

Real Stories, Real Impact

Women drivers are already praising the move. Skye C., a 5-star driver with over 4,000 rides, lauded the initiative saying: "I think it would be great to see more of us out here, hustling. It creates camaraderie and unity."

Maria V., another driver with almost 1,000 rides, feels that the feature establishes "a mutual understanding, like 'girl code.'"

Mimi F., who has provided 20,000 rides in the past decade, added: "Women+ Connect gives me an extra added layer of confidence when I want it, so that I can keep driving whenever it works for me."

Experts in various fields have also thrown their weight behind this feature. Jay Brown of the Human Rights Campaign applauded Lyft, saying: "Lyft is rolling out an inclusive product at a time when so many companies are shying away from explicit inclusion of transgender and non-binary people."

Launching in Select Cities

The feature is set to debut in early-access cities like Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. But Lyft promises a broader rollout soon, ensuring customers in each city have a seamless experience.

More Than Just a Rideshare Platform

Lyft is doing more than just rides; it’s creating opportunities. On the platform, 57% of women drivers say they use the earnings as supplemental income, while 98% appreciate the freedom and flexibility it offers. Another 90% use it as a means to earn money while pursuing other goals.

This is a game-changing moment in the rideshare industry, offering riders and drivers alike a sense of empowerment, choice, and community. If you're considering taking a Lyft ride or getting behind the wheel, now's the time to download the latest app version. Women+ Connect might just be the feature that takes your Lyft experience to the next level.

To learn more about Women+ Connect, visit Lyft's dedicated page.

Featured image credit: Oscar Wong / Getty

A recording has emerged of an Uber driver who works in Queensland in Australia asking a young woman to trade sexual favours in exchange for free rides.

Adrienne Horrigan covertly recorded the proposition on her phone when she was taking an Uber ride one evening in December of 2018, after she left a friend's house.

The driver, Sandeep Singh, was the same man who had dropped her off at her friend's home earlier that night, but later his intentions towards her became far more insidious.

Check out this interview with the victim below:

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In the recording, Singh can be heard saying: "We can be like, friends with benefits, you know. I can like to drop you off and pick you up anytime whenever you want ... You know, like, there's nothing wrong with it."

He insisted that she engage in sexual intercourse with him several more times before dropping her off and driving away.

In a later interview with Australian news show A Current Affair, Horrigan stated: "'I was really scared, I wasn't certain what he was capable of. I started thinking, should I get out of this car sooner rather than later? Should I call the police?' I was starting to think wasn't being heard, that my original ''no'' like, how else can I say no? [sic]"

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Mr Singh has since been removed as a driver for the app-based cab service, although Uber neglected to inform Horrigan that he had been formally dismissed.

Commenting on the situation, a spokesperson for the rideshare company stated: "'[Uber] will be reviewing whether this partner will continue to have access to the app. We will do our best to not pair you with this driver in the future."

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This isn't the first time we've written about Uber drivers though. Check out this piece we penned about five of the strangest Uber journeys ever taken.

  Uber drivers have saved us on many nights out, but no matter how many rides we hitch, there's still so much we don't know about these loyal service providers. Needless to say, with transport now so readily available, Uber drivers have encountered some weird and wonderful characters. From inflatable passengers to others who've revealed a lot more of themselves (quite literally) than they expected, it's safe to say Uber drivers have seen and heard it all. [post_page_title]Touchy-Feely Couples[/post_page_title] A common occurrence for Uber drivers is picking up frisky couples who just can't wait to reach their destination before getting it on. One driver said that he'd picked up one amorous couple who were passionately making out for their entire journey. [caption id="attachment_2944" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] They were so caught up in the moment that a cell phone was left behind. Being a kind driver, they picked up the phone to call its owner, only to find a string of text messages and missed calls from an angry wife who was wondering where her husband was. Awkward. [post_page_title]Homicical Riders[/post_page_title] Many people fear that cab drivers are crazy, but few have thought about crazy riders. One Uber driver was left fearing for his life when his rider asked them a series of terrifying questions. [caption id="attachment_2945" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] These included what they'd do if they suddenly grabbed the steering wheel and drove the car into a building and how they'd react if a gun was put to their head. That driver was probably left wishing he worked for a traditional cab company. [post_page_title]Illegal Cargo[/post_page_title] One Uber driver found themselves in the middle of a drug deal after a rider got into their car with a backpack they were holding onto a little too tightly. [caption id="attachment_2947" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Pexels[/caption] He soon discovered that inside the bag was a marijuana plant complete with a ceramic pot. I bet they were happy when their passenger reached their destination! [post_page_title]The Walk Of Shame[/post_page_title] Uber drivers have encountered some pretty weird sights on the first of November. But one driver picked up an unusual pair with some very interesting costumes. A young woman who'd been dressed as Pulp Fiction's Mia Wallace and another who'd been dressed up as David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust. [caption id="attachment_2948" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Pexels[/caption] According to the driver, the former looked more like a drug addict than her character ever did in the movie and the latter resembled a Japanese prostitute in her skimpy kimono. But hey, at least they'd had a good Halloween. [post_page_title]Unconscious Riders[/post_page_title] One of the main advantages of Uber is that anyone can use it easily, including those who're on the verge of falling unconscious after a night out. Uber drivers have said it's one of the worst situations they, unfortunately, find themselves in on a regular basis. [caption id="attachment_2949" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Should they call 911? Or take their rider to their destination anyway and hope that there's someone else in the house? It's not an ambulance service, after all. [post_page_title]Throwing Up Into A Hangbag[/post_page_title] Uber drivers get to see how well dates have gone on a regular basis. But one told us about how a seemingly promising date took a drastic turn for the worst in their car. Two women got in, having just been for what they said was a delicious meal. [caption id="attachment_2951" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Fifteen minutes into their journey, one of them began to look a little queasy, and without saying anything, she tried (and failed) to subtly be sick into her handbag. The driver said her date looked sympathetic when they arrived at their destination. We can only hope that she didn't mind too much. [post_page_title]An Assault[/post_page_title] Domestic abuse is horrific, but one Uber driver became a hero when he helped a woman who was assaulted in the back of his car. The driver said he'd picked up a couple who were in the middle of a heated argument which continued for most of their journey until she was hit by her partner. [caption id="attachment_2952" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Pexels[/caption] The Uber driver pretended to continue to drive them to their destination but instead went to the nearest sheriff's office. Not all heroes wear capes. [post_page_title]The Toilet Cab[/post_page_title] We all know what it's like to desperately need to pee after a night out and Uber drivers have found themselves unknowingly providing a toilet service to many of their passengers. [caption id="attachment_2953" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Pexels[/caption] We spoke to drivers who told us that it wasn't uncommon for them to have to get their seats thoroughly cleaned after picking up drunk passengers who just couldn't hold it in for any longer. They could've at least asked to pull over! [post_page_title]The Chase[/post_page_title] It might be bad to accidentally end up with some questionable cargo in your Uber, but one driver found himself driving a man away from his angry wife who'd taken it upon herself to chase his Uber for a solid twenty minutes. [caption id="attachment_2954" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] It was a game of Grand Theft Auto that the poor Uber driver never asked to play. [post_page_title]A Big Tip[/post_page_title] Amidst the many horror stories revealed by Uber drivers, one got an unexpectedly large tip from a rider. It was the middle of the night and this driver was about to get a well-deserved sleep when a final request came through. [caption id="attachment_2955" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] They picked up a rider who told them that their girlfriend was in the hospital. Before arriving at their destination, the rider asked them to stop at an ATM and when he got back into the Uber handed his driver $200. [post_page_title]The Flasher[/post_page_title] Everyone knows that Uber drivers sometimes hear a bit too much information about their rider's personal lives, but one driver was flashed by a rider who'd forgotten she'd already paid for her journey by card. [caption id="attachment_2956" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] She told him that she didn't have enough money left after a wild night out to pay and, before the driver had a chance to say she was in an Uber, she'd flashed him. That's something that driver won't be forgetting in a hurry. [post_page_title]The Foursome[/post_page_title] If you thought the driver who was flashed got more than he bargained for, another heard a lot more about his rider's plans for the rest of the evening than he ever expected to when two couples came into his car. [caption id="attachment_2957" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Pexels[/caption] Like other passengers who've gotten a bit too frisky in front of their Uber drivers, these couples spent their journey planning a foursome. [post_page_title]An Arrest[/post_page_title] When Uber drivers get called, they have absolutely no idea who's calling them and what they've just been up to. One driver found himself in a very sticky situation when he arrived at a bowling alley that had just been robbed. [caption id="attachment_2958" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] The culprits had clearly planned on using an Uber to get away but decided against it last minute. The cops saw the Uber and handcuffed the driver thinking they were the culprit. Yikes! [post_page_title]The Leather-Clad Rider[/post_page_title] We've all heard stories about people engaging in wild sexual acts behind closed doors, but one Uber driver found themselves picking up a rider dressed entirely in a leather bodysuit wearing a gimp mask. [caption id="attachment_2959" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Apparently he and his partner had just had an argument and he was kicked out before he got a chance to change out of his outfit. [post_page_title]The Blow-Up Rider[/post_page_title] It's not uncommon for people to call Ubers for their friends, especially on nights out. However, this Uber driver arrived to find out that they were transporting a blow-up sex doll from one location to another. [caption id="attachment_2960" align="aligncenter" width="759"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] They didn't say anything and treated her like any other passenger. Each to their own, I guess. [post_page_title]Frisky Uber Drivers[/post_page_title] Some Uber drivers are happy to hook up with their passengers. One even admitted to keeping condoms in his car in case any of his riders wanted to go for a different kind of ride. [caption id="attachment_2961" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Pexels[/caption] Another said that he worked as an Uber driver so that he could cheat on his wife without her questioning his whereabouts. Shady. [post_page_title]A Driver With Many Personalities[/post_page_title] An Uber driver can be anyone they want to be. Literally. The great thing about meeting new people all of the time is that you get a chance to constantly reinvent yourself. [caption id="attachment_2962" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: Pexels[/caption] This is something that one Uber driver enjoys, admitting that when their riders ask them questions about their life, they make up different stories each time. It's a job where people can get creative. [post_page_title]Riders In Animal Onesies[/post_page_title] Who knows what some people hide under their onesies? [caption id="attachment_2966" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Amazon / FunnyCos[/caption] It's one thing to pick up riders doing their Halloween walk of shame, it's another to pick up riders wearing outfits so good they can't be seen in public. One Uber driver revealed that they picked up riders in animal onesies who told them that they were going to a party but couldn't go out in public with their outfits on, so decided to hide them under onesies. The possibilities of what they were wearing underneath are endless... [post_page_title]Don't Bring Your Kids Without A Baby Seat[/post_page_title] Not all riders annoy their Uber drivers directly, sometimes it's the people looking after them, which is often the case with babies. [caption id="attachment_2963" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] One Uber driver explained that passengers have no right to get mad at them for declining to complete their journey if they turn up with a child but without an appropriate car seat. That's fair enough. Safety first! [post_page_title]Or Eat In The Uber[/post_page_title] Sure, we've all eat in cabs, but there's a line, and as is the case with everything in life, being polite will get you places. [caption id="attachment_2964" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: 20th Century Fox[/caption] So, it doesn't matter how desperate you are to tick into your large cheese pizza, at least have the decency to ask your Uber driver first. It's their car, after all. And if you're polite enough to ask, they're more likely to assume you'll be considerate when eating your food - and not devour it like a hungry animal. [post_page_title]Don't Sit In The Front If You're Not Chatting[/post_page_title] When you get in an Uber alone, you have a choice of whether or not you sit in the front or the back. [caption id="attachment_2965" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: HBO[/caption] Don't choose the front seat if you're not willing to make small talk with the driver. Seriously. Their job is hard enough at the best of times, without you creating an awkward situation. [post_page_title]Be At The Pickup Point[/post_page_title] The Uber app has a pickup point for a good reason. [caption id="attachment_2967" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Uber drivers are just trying to make a living like everyone else, which is why it's so important that you're where you said you'll be when they turn up. Otherwise, it's going to take you both longer to get from A to B. [post_page_title]We Won't Drive Faster For You[/post_page_title] On the subject of the length of journeys, even if you're in a rush, this is the one thing that you should never ask your Uber driver to do. [caption id="attachment_2968" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Don't ask your driver to speed on your behalf. This is their job and any points on their license could put it at risk. Instead, manage your time better so that this situation doesn't arise in the first place. [post_page_title]Check It's Your Uber[/post_page_title] Ubers are called to order, but that doesn't stop impatient people from failing to check the license plate and jumping in the first car that rolls up near to them. [caption id="attachment_2970" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: HBO[/caption] This is especially the case at busy places like airports and train stations, which can create a nightmare situation for the Uber driver, whose earnings could be tied to the credit card of someone who's not even in their cab! [post_page_title]Don't Ask About The Worst Riders[/post_page_title] So, if you've learned anything from this list, it's this: there are a lot of awful Uber riders out there. [caption id="attachment_2946" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] But drivers don't like to think about them, least of all when they're working. So keep your curiosity to yourself when you're in their cars, and if you want your fix of terrible rider stories, just hunt down articles like this one!

A female delivery driver has revealed that she chooses to disguise herself as a man in an attempt to remain safe while completing deliveries at night.

Taking to TikTok, Tia - aka @tiazakher - posted a video of herself showing people what she wears while she's out on the job as a DoorDash driver.

In this instance, she opted for a stereotypically "male" look in the hopes that it would hide her identity as a woman, consisting of straight-leg cuffed joggers with a plain, oversized jacket paired with a cap and hood.

On her feet, she had white chunky trainers on. Have a look at the full look below:

The 11-second clip showed Tia zipping her jacket all the way up to the top while the viral voiceover in the background stated: "You gotta get on your Zoom."

In the text overlay, she added: "POV: [You're] scared to deliver orders at night alone but you make more money at night so you dress up as a man."

The video has been viewed over 400,000 times since it was posted, with many taking to the comments to express their opinions on the matter.

"That’s so smart lol," while another added: "Very convincing well done."

A third even offered more tips writing: "Baggier pants and strong men's perfume and ur good to go haha", to which, Tia responded that she would keep that in mind next time.

Others also chimed into the conversation with more advice with this TikToker writing: "Just wear more baggy pants for extra accuracy" and another stated: "It’s the walk, once you nail it you're good."

Beyond that, other people urged Tia to be safe, with this one user writing: "I worry so much when I see women delivery drivers or uber! Always tip extra. Stay safe."

Credit: FilippoBacci/Getty

According to Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, violence against women is a common occurrence and it isn't just limited to delivery driver roles - it can also be a fear amongst female customers who come into contact with male delivery drivers.

"Experiences of sexual harassment are unacceptably common and disproportionately impact women and girls across their lifetimes, in almost all settings and within all professions – so it is not unique to delivery drivers," she explained in an interview with Glamour.

"However, as these workers have access to women in their homes, there are enhanced risks here and this unwanted behavior deserves urgent attention," she continued. "At the root of this problem is gender inequality and the attitudes and beliefs it produces: male power, control, and a sense of entitlement to women and our bodies."

It really is a tough world out there. Stay safe, girlies!

Featured Image Credit: Anna Shvets/Getty