In a landmark move for India's transportation sector, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah officially launched Bharat Taxi on February 5, 2026, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. This government-backed initiative emerges as a cooperative alternative to dominant players like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, emphasizing driver empowerment, fair pricing, and community ownership. Following a successful pilot in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat's Saurashtra region starting in late December 2025, the platform is now poised for nationwide expansion, promising a more equitable and sustainable model for ride-hailing.
Bharat Taxi represents a shift from profit-driven aggregators to a people-centric system, aligning with the Government of India's vision of "Sahakar se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation). It addresses longstanding issues in the gig economy, such as high commissions and surge pricing, by putting drivers, referred to as "Sarathis," at the core of operations.
What is Bharat Taxi?
Bharat Taxi is India's inaugural cooperative-led digital mobility platform, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL). Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, on June 6, 2025, STCL is a multi-state cooperative society backed by prominent national institutions. These include:
National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO)
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF, known as Amul)
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED)
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL)
The platform was conceptualized to promote cooperative enterprises, generate sustainable livelihoods, and foster community-owned mobility solutions. Since its pilot launch, it has onboarded over 300,000 drivers and more than 100,000 users, averaging 5,500 daily rides in initial markets.
At its core, Bharat Taxi operates on a zero-commission model, ensuring 100% of ride fares go directly to drivers. This eliminates the 20-30% cuts typical of private apps, allowing for surge-free, transparent pricing that's reportedly 30% cheaper than competitors. Profits from the cooperative are distributed among driver-members, enhancing their financial security and ownership stake.
Key Features of Bharat Taxi
Bharat Taxi combines advanced technology with ethical practices, offering a user-friendly app for both passengers and drivers. Here are its standout features:
Ride Options: Diverse choices including Bharat Auto for short city rides, Bharat Bike for quick and budget-friendly trips, Cab Economy for affordable daily commutes, Cab Priority for faster pickups, Sedan for comfortable journeys, and XL for spacious rides with families or luggage.
Safety Measures: An SOS button connecting to local police, emergency alerts to contacts, a siren for urgent situations, real-time ride tracking, and shareable trip links. Rides start with OTP verification for added security.
Pricing Transparency: No hidden charges, surge pricing, or commissions. Fares are calculated upfront, with options for UPI or cash payments directly to drivers.
Reliability: Lower cancellation rates due to nearest-driver matching, verified drivers with ratings and experience details, and in-app metro ticket booking for seamless multi-modal travel.
Driver-Centric Design: Drivers are cooperative members, not contractors, benefiting from profit-sharing, social security, and direct earnings.
The app is developed with inputs from the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), ensuring integration with platforms like DigiLocker and UMANG for enhanced governance and cybersecurity.
Benefits to India
Bharat Taxi is more than a ride-hailing service - it's a catalyst for inclusive economic growth. Its cooperative model addresses key challenges in India's urban mobility sector, which serves millions daily in a market valued at billions of dollars. Benefits include:
Driver Empowerment: By eliminating commissions, the platform boosts driver incomes, provides social security, and promotes dignified livelihoods. This could reduce exploitation in the gig economy, where drivers often face low earnings and job insecurity.
Affordable and Ethical Services: Passengers enjoy lower fares (up to 30% cheaper), transparent pricing, and reliable rides, fostering fair competition and reducing reliance on foreign-funded aggregators.
Economic and Social Impact: Supports rural-urban linkages by creating jobs through cooperatives, aligns with inclusive growth objectives, and contributes to sustainable development by encouraging community participation.
National Self-Reliance: As a homegrown initiative, it strengthens India's cooperative sector, which already plays a vital role in agriculture and dairy. It promotes ethical service delivery, potentially setting a precedent for other sectors like e-commerce and logistics.
Environmental Considerations: By optimizing rides and promoting efficient transport, it could indirectly reduce urban congestion and emissions, supporting India's green mobility goals.
Early data from the pilot shows positive traction, with high driver retention and user satisfaction, as reflected in iOS app ratings of 4.8 out of 5 from over 850 reviews.
Use Cases for Bharat Taxi
Bharat Taxi caters to a wide range of scenarios, making it versatile for everyday needs:
Daily Commutes: Ideal for office-goers in metro cities like Delhi-NCR, where Cab Economy or Priority options ensure timely, affordable rides without surge hikes during peak hours.
Short Trips and Errands: Use Bharat Bike or Auto for quick market runs, school pickups, or last-mile connectivity from metro stations, especially in congested areas.
Family Outings or Travel: Opt for a sedan or XL for comfortable group rides to airports, railway stations, or weekend getaways, with ample space for luggage.
Late-Night or Emergency Travel: Safety features like SOS and live tracking make it reliable for women, solo travelers, or urgent medical trips.
Integrated Public Transport: Book metro tickets in-app for seamless journeys combining rides with public transit, reducing overall travel costs.
Business and Institutional Use: Government offices, PSUs, and autonomous bodies are encouraged to promote it internally, as per directives from the Ministry of Cooperation, for official transport needs.
These use cases highlight its role in bridging gaps in urban transport, particularly in tier-1 and tier-2 cities.
How to Download and Get Started
Getting on board with Bharat Taxi is straightforward:
For Passengers:
Android: Download "Bharat Taxi - Cab, Auto & Bike" from the Google Play Store (Developer: Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited).
iOS: Download "Bharat Taxi - Ride Booking App" from the Apple App Store (Developer: Moving Tech Innovations Private Limited).
Setup: Verify with OTP, set pickup/destination, choose ride type, and select a driver based on ratings.
For Drivers (Sarathis):
Separate app: "Bharat Taxi Driver" on Google Play.
Registration: Join as a cooperative member to access rides and benefits.
The Future of Bharat Taxi
Looking ahead, Bharat Taxi aims for rapid scaling. With ambitions to onboard 1 lakh drivers by 2030, the platform plans a nationwide rollout, starting from pilot regions to major cities like Ahmedabad and beyond. Future enhancements may include electric vehicle integration, expanded payment options, and deeper ties with government schemes for subsidies or training.
As India's cooperative sector evolves, Bharat Taxi could inspire similar models in other industries, driving "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India). By prioritizing equity over extraction, it sets a benchmark for sustainable tech-driven services, potentially transforming how millions commute and earn.
In an era of rapid urbanization, Bharat Taxi stands as a beacon of cooperative innovation, empowering individuals, fostering competition, and building a more inclusive mobility ecosystem.
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