From Taxis to Ridehailing: Examining Gender Issues for Female Drivers and Passengers

Shaheen, Susan A.; Cohen, Adam P.; Wolfe, Brooke; Champlin, Jacob · 2024 · ROSA P / National Institute for Congestion Reduction

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Summary

This report examines gender equity challenges for female drivers and passengers of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) and taxis, motivated by the need to understand safety barriers and travel behavior differences that affect women’s adoption of these services. The study aims to identify strategies to improve safety and equity, potentially encouraging women to link TNC trips with other shared modes to reduce congestion. The research employed a mixed-methods approach between August 2023 and May 2024. Data collection included two focus groups with female drivers (n=8) and female passengers (n=8); a nationwide online survey of female drivers (n=170); a survey of female TNC/taxi users and non-users (n=440); and expert interviews (n=13). The methodology focused on gathering insights on driving behavior, income, safety precautions, and experiences traveling with children. Key findings reveal significant safety concerns and logistical challenges for both drivers and passengers. Female drivers often enter the workforce to supplement income or during employment gaps, yet they face a gender wage gap partly driven by reluctance to drive late at night or in high-crime areas. To mitigate risks, female drivers employ precautions such as installing security cameras and avoiding late-night shifts. Female passengers also prioritize safety, utilizing measures like sharing location data and communicating with contacts upon arrival. A major barrier identified is the difficulty of traveling with children; passengers face challenges bringing car seats, while drivers express concerns about liability and the time required to install seats. Consequently, some passengers are declined rides or struggle to accommodate child safety equipment. The study concludes with policy recommendations to address these equity issues. To reduce the wage gap, TNCs could adjust pay structures to minimize discrepancies between day and night earnings. Safety concerns could be mitigated through mentorship programs for new drivers, enhanced passenger verification, improved customer service for incident reporting, and expanded gender-preference matching options. To accommodate families, the report suggests implementing car seat programs where drivers provide seats for a fee, offering financial incentives for drivers accepting rides with children, and allowing passengers to indicate child travel needs during booking. The authors note limitations regarding the small sample size of taxi-specific data and non-users, recommending future research on underrepresented groups and pilot programs for child accommodation.

Key finding

Female TNC and taxi drivers and passengers experience significant safety concerns and logistical challenges when traveling with children, prompting the need for policy interventions like gender-preference matching and car seat programs.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 631

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• sex gender