What is Bharat Taxi Cab Service:
For years, the Indian taxi market has revolved around a few private app-based companies, leaving travelers with limited options and drivers with even fewer profits. But change is on the horizon. The central government has launched Bharat Taxi, the nation's first cooperative taxi service directly challenging private giants like Ola and Uber.
This initiative is crafted through the combined efforts of the Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, NeGD and Sahkaar Taxi Cooperative Limited - Bharat Taxi - have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Source: aajtak
The aim of this venture is to provide drivers with full ownership of their earnings and present travelers with a reliable, government-monitored service. The government promises a trustworthy, transparent, and affordable alternative. Let's delve into the details of the Bharat Taxi Service—
Recent years have seen a surge in complaints about app-based taxi services, from questions about car hygiene to sudden fare hikes or cancellation woes. Drivers, too, have been unfairly pressured to pay about 25% of their income as commission to companies. Bharat Taxi marks a pivotal step toward eliminating this unfair system.
The key feature of Bharat Taxi is that no commission will be charged. Drivers will only pay a membership fee, which could be daily, weekly, or monthly. Thus, the entire earnings of every trip will go straight to the driver. The government believes this will economically empower millions of drivers and boost their confidence. Additionally, those connected with this service will be referred to not as drivers, but as 'Saarthis' (Charioteers).
The pilot project for Bharat Taxi will launch in November from Delhi. In the early phase, 650 vehicles and their owner-drivers will join this service. If successful, December will see its expansion to other major cities across the nation. The first phase expects nearly 5,000 drivers (including women) to participate.
Source: aajtak
The government's target is to establish Bharat Taxi in all major metro cities by March 2026. By 2030, this platform aims to connect with over 100,000 drivers, reaching district headquarters and rural areas. It's not merely a service but heralded as a new wave of cooperative revolution.
Bharat Taxi will operate not as a private company but as a cooperative enterprise. It will be managed by 'Sahkaar Taxi Cooperative Limited', established in June 2025 with an initial capital of 3 billion INR.
The governing council overseeing this project is chaired by Amul's MD Jayen Mehta, with NCDC's Deputy MD Rohit Gupta as Vice President. The government claims this model will be a groundbreaking step in granting drivers ownership, transparency, and respect.
Bharat Taxi aims to be more than just a taxi app, but a bridge of trust between drivers and passengers. The government's vision is to create a transportation ecosystem where technology, cooperation, and transparency collectively dictate new paths on the nation's roads. If successful, Bharat Taxi could become a model of “Cooperative Mobility” not just in India but for the world.
In March, Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced in the Lok Sabha the initiation of a cooperative cab service. He stated, "Soon there will be a cooperative taxi platform like Ola and Uber. The profits from this platform will not go to a capitalist but directly to the taxi drivers."
