Women and Shared Rides in Uzbekistan: How to Travel With Peace of Mind

Many women in Uzbekistan travel between cities on their own: to university, to see parents, for work or for celebrations. Foreign women travelling solo through the country do the same. A shared ride is convenient in these situations: cheaper than a taxi, departure at a time that suits you, and no waiting at the bus station for a car to fill up. Still, it is entirely natural to want to know in advance who you will be travelling with. Below are tried and tested habits that help women passengers feel at ease from booking to arrival.

Before booking: choose deliberately

The main advantage of booking through a service rather than taking a random car at the station is that the driver has a profile. Use that information.

• Rating and reviews. Read the texts, not just the score. Pay attention to what other passengers, especially women, say about driving style, punctuality and manners.
• Number of trips. A driver with a long trip history and consistent reviews is a more predictable choice than a brand-new profile with no reviews.
• Photo, name, car model and number plate. These details are visible to passengers before the trip. Remember them or take a screenshot.
• Ride description. A clear, careful description with pickup points usually means the driver takes things seriously.

If anything makes you uneasy, choose a different ride. You do not owe anyone an explanation.

How to find female travel companions

Many women feel more relaxed when there are other women in the car. Options:

1. Travel with a friend, sister or colleague. You can book two seats on the same ride at once, which is the simplest solution.
2. Ask the driver in the chat who else is travelling. It is a normal question and a polite driver will answer it calmly.
3. Choose popular morning departures. On busy routes such as Tashkent – Samarkand, morning cars usually fill up completely, so you travel with several other passengers.
4. Sit in the back if that feels more comfortable. Ask in advance; it is a very common request.

Share your trip with family or friends

Before you leave, send the trip details to someone you trust. Each ride in the app has a Share button, and the link can be sent to any messenger. It is also worth:

• sending the driver's name and the car's model, colour and plate number;
• noting the departure time and expected arrival time;
• turning on live location sharing in your messenger for the duration of the ride;
• agreeing that you will message halfway and on arrival.

This is not a sign of distrust towards the driver. It is standard practice on any long journey, used by men and women alike.

On the day of the trip

• Check the car and plate against the details in the app before getting in. If a different car or a different person arrives, ask the driver through the app, and if in doubt, do not get in.
• Choose a busy, well-lit pickup point, such as a metro station, a shopping centre or a major bus stop.
• Keep your phone charged and bring a power bank.
• Keep documents and money on you rather than in the boot.
• Do not overshare. Chatting on the road is pleasant, but there is no need to tell strangers where you live or when you will be home alone.

If something feels wrong on the road

The vast majority of rides go without a hitch, but it helps to know in advance what to do.

• If you are uncomfortable with the driving, say so calmly and directly: please could we slow down. That is usually enough.
• If a conversation becomes unpleasant, you can politely end it and put on headphones.
• If a situation worries you, ask to stop at a busy place such as a fuel station or a traffic police post, and get out. Call someone you trust.
• In an emergency, call 102 for police or 112.

The Tashkent – Namangan route crosses the Kamchik pass, where there are police posts and regular teahouse stops. Long routes always have busy places where you can get out if needed.

After the trip: reviews matter

Reviews are what make the system safe for everyone. If the ride went well, write a few words: it helps other women choose a reliable driver. If something was wrong, describe specifically and calmly what happened. For serious violations, contact the service's support team.

Quick reminder

Yo'ldosh was built as a community where drivers and passengers can see each other's profiles and reviews and get in touch through the app without handing out personal phone numbers. More tips are on the for passengers page. If you are planning a trip, look at rides on Tashkent – Samarkand and Tashkent – Namangan and choose a driver with good reviews.

Cover photo: Deepanshu arya, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.