Bharat Taxi Debuts as India’s First Cooperative Ride-Hailing Platform

Union Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah is set to inaugurate Bharat Taxi in New Delhi today, marking the official launch of India’s first cooperative-driven ride-hailing platform. The initiative is being positioned as a transformative step toward strengthening the country’s cooperative movement while delivering affordable, transparent, and people-centric urban mobility.

The launch introduces a new model in India’s competitive cab-hailing market, traditionally dominated by private aggregators such as Ola and Uber.

A Cooperative-Driven Alternative to Aggregator Platforms

Drivers at the Core of the System

According to the Ministry of Cooperation, Bharat Taxi has been designed to place drivers—referred to as Sarathis—at the centre of the platform. Unlike aggregator-led models, where drivers often have limited control over pricing and earnings, Bharat Taxi allows them to retain ownership, operational control, and income autonomy.

The initiative aims to shift drivers away from structures that cap earnings and impose high commissions, offering a more sustainable livelihood model.

Zero-Commission and No Surge Pricing

A Different Revenue Model

Bharat Taxi will follow a zero-commission framework and operate without surge pricing, ensuring that earnings are shared directly with drivers rather than being absorbed by intermediaries.

This model contrasts sharply with conventional ride-hailing platforms that typically deduct Rs 30–50 per trip as commission, significantly impacting driver income.

Strong Focus on Driver Welfare

Insurance, Retirement, and Support Systems

The ministry has emphasised that Bharat Taxi goes beyond fare reforms by prioritising driver welfare. The platform includes provisions for:

• Health insurance

• Accident insurance

• Retirement benefits

• A dedicated driver support mechanism

These measures are intended to provide long-term social security for drivers operating within the cooperative ecosystem.

Promoting Women’s Participation: Bike Didi Initiative

As part of its inclusive approach, the platform has also highlighted initiatives such as Bike Didi, under which more than 150 women drivers have already joined the service. The programme aims to promote women’s participation in last-mile mobility and create new income opportunities.

What Passengers Stand to Gain

Cheaper Fares and Transparent Pricing

Passengers are expected to benefit from noticeably lower fares, with officials stating that rides on Bharat Taxi could be up to 30 per cent cheaper than those offered by private cab operators.

The zero-commission structure allows cost savings to be passed directly to riders, while the absence of surge pricing ensures predictable and transparent fares, even during peak hours.

Expanding Driver Network

The platform has earlier claimed to have a network of more than four lakh registered drivers, which could help ensure availability and reduce waiting times as the service scales.

Safety Measures and Passenger Support

Helplines and Police Coordination

Safety has been built into the Bharat Taxi platform through multiple layers of protection. A dedicated customer helpline has been established to address passenger concerns promptly.

Working in coordination with the Delhi Police, Bharat Taxi has also set up 35 special assistance booths to handle complaints and grievances efficiently.

Driver Verification for Safer Travel

All drivers onboarded onto the platform are subjected to a verification process, aimed at enhancing passenger safety and building trust in the service.

Pilot Phase Performance

Trial Run in Delhi and Gujarat

Bharat Taxi was rolled out on a pilot basis in December 2025 across Delhi and Gujarat. During this trial phase, the platform recorded an average of around 5,500 rides per day.

Notably, nearly 4,000 of these daily rides were airport trips, indicating strong early demand in high-frequency travel segments.

Conclusion

The launch of Bharat Taxi represents a significant shift in India’s ride-hailing landscape, introducing a cooperative-owned, driver-first alternative to traditional aggregator platforms. By combining zero commission, surge-free pricing, lower fares, and enhanced welfare measures, the initiative seeks to balance affordability for passengers with sustainable earnings for drivers.

As the platform expands beyond its pilot regions, its success will depend on scale, service quality, and user adoption—but Bharat Taxi has already positioned itself as a bold experiment in reshaping urban mobility through cooperation.