Saudi women driving for Uber: How will it reshape mobility?
As Saudi Arabia marks seven years since lifting the ban on women driving,
The new feature is designed to expand mobility options for women while offering greater flexibility and opportunity for women drivers. It also supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which includes boosting female participation in the workforce.
Read-
'We're thrilled to witness this dynamic change unfold in Saudi Arabia,' said Youssef Abouseif, General Manager of Uber Saudi Arabia. 'The launch of the Women Drivers product reflects our commitment to empowering women and supporting their mobility and economic independence. We believe initiatives like these play a pivotal role in Saudi Vision 2030.'
Seamless experience for female riders
The Women Drivers feature will function similarly to UberX, with pricing kept in line with current rates. Women can select the option directly in the Uber app to ensure they are matched only with female drivers.
For those looking to plan ahead, the feature will also be available through Uber Reserve, allowing riders to schedule a trip with a female driver up to 30 minutes in advance.
'The future of mobility is electric, shared, and autonomous—but also inclusive,' Abouseif added. 'By giving women more choice, more opportunity, and a stronger sense of community, we're creating a platform that works better for everyone.'
The announcement reflects Uber's continued investment in Saudi Arabia's rapidly changing mobility landscape, where more women are now using ride-hailing platforms both as drivers and as riders.
Alnahda partnership and community support
As part of the launch, Uber has partnered with Alnahda Society, a prominent Saudi non-profit dedicated to empowering women economically and socially. Established in 1962, Alnahda has a long track record of advocacy and capacity-building initiatives for Saudi women.
This collaboration will support programs focused on mobility and financial literacy, equipping women with the tools and knowledge needed to pursue economic independence—including the opportunity to earn income by driving via the Uber app.
This builds on previous partnerships between Uber and Alnahda, such as the Masaruky initiative, which helped thousands of women learn to drive and obtain a license as part of their journey into the workforce.
In addition, Uber will host its first GigSister event in Saudi Arabia, a dedicated community space where female drivers can connect, share experiences, and support one another. The event is part of a broader global initiative to foster community among gig workers.
Uber has a history of programs tailored to the Saudi market, including the Wusool initiative, which has provided over 20 million subsidized rides for women commuting to work. Another notable feature, Women Rider Preference, allows women drivers to choose whether to accept rides only from female riders.
These initiatives have been designed to break down barriers to employment and enhance access to safe, reliable transportation for women across the Kingdom.
'With this latest product launch and our new partnerships, Uber is going beyond transportation,' said Abouseif. 'We are actively investing in the development and success of women across Saudi Arabia by integrating innovation, empowerment, and local insights into our platform.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Iraq strikes new deal with Kurds on oil exports and salary disputes
The Iraqi cabinet approved on Thursday a long-anticipated agreement with the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region that that could reset their strained relationship over oil exports and public sector salaries. According to a statement issued after an extraordinary meeting, the Kurdistan Regional Government will 'immediately begin delivering all the crude oil produced from the region's oilfields' to the state oil marketer SOMO for export. In return, the Iraqi Ministry of Finance will be 'committed' to pay the Kurdish region $16 per barrel, a price set late last year in amendments to the federal budget law and approved by the cabinet, the statement added. At least 230,000 barrels per day will be handed over to Baghdad out of the region's current total production of 280,000 barrels per day, it said. The remaining 50,000 barrels will be reserved for local consumption. 'Any further increase in production will be handed over to SOMO,' it said. As a goodwill gesture and the first step in implementing the deal, the federal Ministry of Finance will release May salaries for public sector employees, pending verification that the oil volumes have been received at the Turkish port of Ceyhan. The measure aims to bring immediate relief to tens of thousands of public servants in the Kurdish region who have faced months of uncertainty over delayed payments. Kurdistan will also transfer an initial estimated amount of 120 billion Iraqi dinars ($91.6 million) for May as a share of non-oil income, according to the agreement. A joint team will audit revenue and determine the federal share going forward. The deal also stipulates that a three-month plan will be launched to complete the process of paying public sector employees' salaries through bank accounts. The control over the development of natural resources has been one of the thorniest issues since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and helped the Kurds gain official semi-autonomy. The Kurds argue that the country's constitution allows them to sign deals bypassing Baghdad, while the federal authorities maintain this is illegal. That struggle has forced Baghdad at some points to withhold Kurdistan's share in the budget, plunging the region into economic hardships. In early 2022, the Kurdish region's oil sector suffered a major blow when the Federal Supreme Court ruled that the regional law regulating the industry was unconstitutional. The court demanded it hand over all oil sector activities to Baghdad – including exports. A year later, an arbitration ruling forced the region's exports through Turkey to halt, cutting off a major source of revenue for Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region, and leaving it struggling to fulfil salary payments. Throughout that period the two sides failed to reach agreement.
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
DAE unit to launch aviation training programme in Jordan
Amideast-Jordan has announced the signing of an agreement with Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Company (Joramco), the engineering arm of Dubai Aerospace Industries (DAE), headquartered in Amman, Jordan. Under the deal, Amideast will provide comprehensive training to 60 young people, with a focus on enhancing their proficiency in the basics of English, and developing their interpersonal skills and digital knowledge. The training is supported by Boeing and is being carried out in close collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, reflecting the shared commitment of all stakeholders to supporting and empowering youth, said Amideast-Jordan in a statement. As part of the partnership, Joramco will play a pivotal role, dedicating its extensive professional and technical expertise in the field of maintenance, repair and refurbishment of commercial aircraft to support the aviation jobs programme by reviewing Amideast's training programs and organizing panel discussions that bring together industry experts and professionals. In addition, the company is committed to supporting the professional development of participants by helping them through the recruitment process, while committing tofacilitating and providing direct employment opportunities for graduates of the program within its team. The MoU was recently signed at Joramco's headquarters, by Amideast Country Director Noor Al-Rasheed and Joramco CEO Fraser Corrie. On the important partnership, Joramco CEO Fraser Currie said: "This partnership is a strategic step in our commitment to preparing the next generation of aviation professionals in Jordan. By uniting Amideast's efforts in youth empowerment and development, Joramco's deep expertise and real job opportunities, we are directly contributing to the growth and upgrading of the commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and refurbishment sector in the kingdom." In addition to its main objectives, the MoU paves the way for expanding the horizons of cooperation between Joramco and Amideast, allowing both parties to explore other areas of mutual interest, especially in CSR initiatives and comprehensive workforce development programmes. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Etihad launches 'Etihad for Business' corporate portal
Etihad Airways today launched the Etihad for Business corporate portal, bringing the airline's comprehensive business travel programme fully online. Companies can now access their complete corporate travel management suite through a single digital platform. The portal enables businesses to manage their travel programmes with enhanced tools, track performance data in real-time, and handle benefit redemptions with self-service capabilities. Corporate customers can now access contract details, monitor travel spend, and redeem Etihad for Business credits for a comprehensive suite of travel benefits. "We've created a platform that puts control directly in our corporate partners' hands," said Javier Alija, Vice President Global Sales & Distribution at Etihad Airways. "Companies can now manage everything from performance tracking to benefit redemptions through one simple interface." The Etihad for Business programme rewards corporate customers for their business travel, allowing them to enhance their employees' travel experience through a flexible credit system. Companies can use earned credits to purchase from a suite of benefits including seat upgrades, priority services, lounge access, and ground transportation. Key portal features include automated performance reports, transparent tiering requirements, and streamlined contract management. The platform eliminates administrative burdens while providing companies with clear visibility into their travel programme value. "Business travel management should be straightforward, not complicated," Javier Alija added. "Our portal delivers exactly that: a user-friendly experience that makes it easy for companies to maximise the value of their travel programmes." The platform offers different levels of support based on company needs. Enhanced analytics capabilities will follow shortly after launch, with additional features planned to expand the portal's functionality over time. Corporate customers can also access dedicated support through the platform, from online assistance to account management services, ensuring comprehensive support throughout their travel journey. The platform represents a valuable tool that can assist travel management companies and businesses in managing their corporate travel programmes more effectively, combining digital efficiency with personalised service.
