India Gets Bharat Taxi, a Cooperative Ride-Hailing Platform
India has entered a new chapter in ride-hailing with the launch of Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-led alternative to private platforms such as Uber, Ola and Rapido. The service was officially launched on Thursday, February 5, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with a focus on creating a fairer and more sustainable model for drivers in the gig economy.
Unlike conventional ride-hailing apps, Bharat Taxi is operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited, a multi-state cooperative registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act. The initiative is backed by some of India's largest cooperative institutions, including IFFCO, Amul, NABARD, and other partners, giving it strong institutional support from the start.
At the heart of Bharat Taxi is a driver-ownership model. Drivers who join the platform become shareholders in the cooperative, giving them a direct stake in the business. Instead of paying high commission charges on every ride, drivers pay a fixed daily access fee of around ₹30 to use the app. This zero-commission approach allows drivers to retain a much larger share of their earnings.
The app will be available on Android and iOS, offering a wide range of booking options. Users can choose from auto-rickshaws, bike taxis, regular taxis, and AC, non-AC, and XL cabs, making the platform suitable for a range of travel needs. Bharat Taxi also plans to integrate public transport options, such as the metro, to provide smoother last-mile connectivity for users.
Safety and accessibility are key pillars of the service. Bharat Taxi includes in-app emergency features, 24/7 customer support, multilingual interfaces, and dedicated support booths developed in collaboration with local police authorities. These measures are aimed at matching, or exceeding, existing safety standards in the ride-hailing space.
Another major distinction is pricing. Bharat Taxi has launched with a surge-free pricing model, avoiding sudden fare hikes during peak hours. According to officials, rides could be up to 30% cheaper than those offered by private competitors, though actual fares may vary by location and demand.
Beyond daily earnings, drivers also benefit from profit sharing and participation in governance, a key difference from platforms like Uber and Ola, where drivers typically operate as contractors without ownership or profit rights.
With its cooperative structure, driver-first approach and competitive pricing, Bharat Taxi aims to challenge the dominance of private ride-hailing apps while redefining how gig-economy platforms operate in India.