Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Tuesday launched Bharat Taxi, a new cooperative-based ride-hailing service, at an event held at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The launch was marked by a Bharat Taxi rally, with participation from drivers and customers, symbolising the beginning of an alternative mobility platform rooted in cooperative principles.
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said the initiative seeks to redefine the ride-hailing ecosystem by empowering drivers as stakeholders rather than contract workers. “Bharat Taxi empowers drivers as owners of profits and bestows them with respect and dignity,” he said, highlighting the cooperative model as a fairer alternative to existing private aggregators.
How Bharat Taxi Is Different From Ola And Uber
Unlike private cab aggregators such as Ola and Uber, Bharat Taxi operates on a no-commission model, allowing drivers to retain the entire fare collected from passengers. The cooperative claims that high commission charges imposed by private platforms have long been a major concern for drivers, often reducing their earnings significantly.
Bharat Taxi CEO Vivek Pandey said the service currently does not charge drivers any fee, though a nominal daily charge of Rs 25–30 may be introduced in the future. He added that even this proposed amount is far lower than the commissions charged by private ride-hailing apps.
Transparent And Affordable Fares For Passengers
Passengers are also expected to benefit from the new platform. Bharat Taxi has promised fixed and transparent fares, with no surge pricing, even during peak hours or high-demand periods. Surge pricing on private platforms often leads to steep fare hikes, a concern frequently raised by commuters. By eliminating variable pricing, the cooperative aims to build trust and affordability.
Not Government-Owned, But Backed By Cooperatives
Although Bharat Taxi has the backing of the Ministry of Cooperation, officials clarified that it is not a government-owned initiative. The service is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited and is supported by major cooperative institutions, including Amul, lending credibility and organisational strength to the platform.
Loans, Safety And Future Expansion Plans
Bharat Taxi has also announced plans to facilitate government-backed loans for drivers to purchase their own vehicles, a move aimed at generating employment and promoting self-reliance.
To enhance safety, the service has partnered with Delhi Police and Gujarat Police. The app will offer features such as real-time ride tracking, verified drivers, multilingual support, and 24×7 customer care. There are also plans to integrate Bharat Taxi with metro networks in the future, improving last-mile connectivity.
With its cooperative ownership model, focus on driver welfare, and transparent pricing for passengers, Bharat Taxi aims to emerge as a people-centric alternative in India’s fast-growing urban mobility sector.
