In a major step towards strengthening women’s safety in app-based mobility, the central government has asked all cab aggregators operating in India to introduce a women-only ride option on their platforms. The move is part of the updated Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, aimed at making ride-hailing services safer, more inclusive, and more consumer-friendly.
Under the new guidelines, cab booking apps will be required to offer passengers the choice of selecting a driver of the same gender wherever feasible. This means women passengers can opt for a female driver while booking a ride, giving them greater confidence and comfort during travel, especially during late-night hours or solo journeys.
Push for Women-Only Ride to Improve Safety and Comfort for Women Riders
Women’s safety has been a long-standing concern in India’s urban transport ecosystem. While several cab platforms have experimented with women-centric features in certain cities, the government’s latest directive seeks to make this option more structured and widely available across the country.
The women-only ride option is expected to reduce hesitation among women users who rely heavily on cab services for daily commuting, work travel, and personal mobility. Policymakers believe that providing greater control and choice to passengers can significantly improve trust in app-based transport services.
Industry experts note that the effectiveness of this feature will depend on increasing the participation of women drivers on these platforms. Currently, the proportion of female driver partners remains relatively low. However, the government hopes that a formal policy push will encourage more women to join ride-hailing services as drivers, opening up new employment opportunities while improving rider safety.
New Rules Make Tipping Voluntary and Transparent
Alongside the women-only ride option, the updated guidelines also introduce important changes related to tipping. Cab aggregators will now be allowed to offer tipping only after a ride is completed, ensuring that tipping remains completely voluntary. Platforms are not permitted to prompt users to tip before or during a journey.
Additionally, the rules clearly state that the entire tip amount must go directly to the driver, with no platform commissions or deductions. This move aims to protect consumers from undue pressure while ensuring that drivers receive fair rewards for good service.
What It Means for Cab Aggregator Platforms
Leading cab aggregators such as Ola, Uber, and others will need to update their apps, booking flows, and backend systems to comply with the new requirements. This includes enabling gender selection features, improving driver onboarding processes, and ensuring transparency in tipping and pricing.
The guidelines also reinforce the government’s broader focus on regulating surge pricing, preventing unfair trade practices, and improving accountability in the fast-growing ride-hailing sector.
A Broader Vision for Inclusive Urban Mobility
According to officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, these changes are aimed at creating a balanced ecosystem where passenger safety, driver welfare, and platform accountability go hand in hand. The government sees app-based mobility as a critical component of India’s urban infrastructure and wants it to evolve responsibly.
As cab usage continues to rise across metros and smaller cities alike, the introduction of women-only ride options could prove to be a turning point for safer and more inclusive travel. If implemented effectively, the policy may not only enhance confidence among women passengers but also reshape how mobility services cater to diverse user needs in India.