The Indian government is preparing to launch Bharat Taxi, a ride hailing platform aimed at placing driver income and welfare at the centre of its operating model. Led by the Ministry of Cooperation, the service is expected to go live within the next 1 or 2 months and is being positioned as an alternative to existing private platforms such as Ola and Uber.
Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah recently confirmed the launch while speaking at a conference organised by Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited in Panchkula. He said the initiative is intended to address long standing income concerns faced by cab drivers across the country. Highlighting the core objective, Shah said, “Several companies operate taxi services in the country, but the profits go to the owners rather than the drivers. Under the initiative of the Ministry of Cooperation, ‘Bharat Taxi’ will be launched soon, and the entire profit will go to our driver brothers.”
The central idea behind Bharat Taxi is a zero commission model. Unlike existing platforms where companies retain a significant share of ride fares, the new service will allow drivers to keep the full earnings from each trip. The platform will be operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited and is backed by cooperative institutions such as Amul, IFFCO, and NABARD, with the Government of India as the principal promoter. This cooperative structure aims to reduce intermediaries and ensure a fairer income distribution for drivers.
In addition to higher take home income, Bharat Taxi plans to offer insurance coverage for drivers, addressing a key gap in social security within the informal transport sector. Drivers will also be permitted to display advertisements on their vehicles, creating an additional source of income beyond ride fares. Early response has been strong, with reports indicating that more than 51,000 drivers registered within days of the announcement.
For passengers, the app promises a more transparent experience with reduced or eliminated surge pricing. Planned features include real time vehicle tracking, ride sharing with trusted contacts, and a 24×7 customer support system. Safety measures will include driver verification and integration with local law enforcement agencies, including the Delhi Police. A beta version of the app is already available on Android and iOS in select regions such as Delhi and parts of Gujarat.
As preparations continue for a nationwide rollout, Bharat Taxi is emerging as a major cooperative driven experiment in digital mobility that could reshape the ride hailing landscape in India.
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