Uber Mujeres Launches in Cancún, Letting Riders Request Female Drivers

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Women using Uber in Cancún can now request rides driven by other women through Uber Mujeres, a new feature the company began rolling out this week as it widens mobility options in the city.

The tool allows riders to choose a female driver at the moment of booking, schedule a trip in advance, or set the app to prioritize women drivers on future rides. Cancún was one of the first cities in Mexico where the format was tested, and it is now expanding to 20 destinations nationwide.

Uber Mujeres builds on “Ellas,” a feature available in Mexico since late 2020 that let female drivers accept requests exclusively from female passengers. Under the new version, riders can also take part in the selection by stating a preference to travel with a woman behind the wheel.

Using the feature for the first time requires a gender confirmation in the app. After that, riders have three ways to use it.

• Permanent preference: Riders can set the app to look for a female driver on every trip, activating the option through the Account, Settings and Travel Preferences sections.
• Advance booking: Through Uber Reserve, riders can schedule a trip ahead of time and select Uber Mujeres so the service is handled by a woman.
• Immediate rides: Riders can request a trip with a female driver directly from the app’s main screen, daily between 6 a.m. and midnight.

The company cautioned that the preference does not guarantee every trip will be handled by a woman. When no female driver is available or the estimated wait is long, the request may be offered to additional drivers.

If the platform cannot find a nearby female driver or calculates a lengthy wait, it will ask the rider whether to keep waiting or be matched with a male driver.

Cecilia Román, Uber’s communications manager, said the feature is designed to give women more control over how they use the platform and to expand the alternatives available to both riders and drivers.

At the presentation, Quintana Roo Women’s Secretariat head Esther Burgos Jiménez said having mobility options allows women to reach their workplaces, schools, medical services, public offices and care facilities.

The official noted that Uber and the Women’s Secretariat maintain a collaboration agreement to provide transportation for women in situations of violence or vulnerability who are receiving support from the state agency.

She also pointed to the MAYA app — Mujeres Acompañadas y Atendidas — a free tool that offers information on services and support mechanisms.

The Women’s Secretariat keeps its hotline, 800 500 9559, available around the clock, offering free psychological and legal assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Uber said the new function is part of the control options built into its platform, though its operation will depend on the number of female drivers online, their proximity to the rider and the demand for rides at any given moment.