By India’s First Cooperative Ride-Hailing Service Launched
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, following a successful two-month pilot programme.
Delhi: At the launch of Bharat Taxi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “I said that when this cooperative taxi initiative began, we did not realise how big it would become, but in the coming years it will grow across the country and benefit taxi drivers. I clarified that the… pic.twitter.com/Fm2fZpOjzD
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 5, 2026
Initially rolled out in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, the service will be expanded to all states and Union Territories within the next two to three years, Shah announced at the launch event in New Delhi.
Drivers Are Owners, Not Employees: Shah
Addressing the gathering, Shah stressed that Bharat Taxi is not a government-run service, but a driver-owned cooperative initiative aimed at empowering taxi drivers.
“When this cooperative taxi initiative began, we did not realise how big it would become. In the coming years, it will grow across the country and benefit taxi drivers. The government is not entering the taxi sector — the drivers themselves are the owners of this platform,” Shah said.
He added that every driver associated with Bharat Taxi will have ownership rights, and profits earned through the platform will be shared directly with the drivers.
Zero Commission, No Surge Pricing Model
Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Bharat Taxi was established on June 6, 2025. The platform follows a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model, positioning itself as an indigenous alternative to private ride-hailing giants such as Uber, Ola, and Rapido.
Users can book cars, auto-rickshaws (three-wheelers), and two-wheelers, making it a multi-mobility platform.
Strong Response During Pilot Phase
Backed by eight major cooperative organisations, Bharat Taxi began pilot operations on December 2 in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat.
According to PTI, since the pilot launch:
- Over 3 lakh drivers have joined the platform
- More than 1 lakh users have registered
- Over 10,000 rides are being completed daily
- Around ₹10 crore has already been distributed directly to drivers
Shah described Bharat Taxi as the world’s first and largest cooperative-based ride-hailing platform and the largest driver-owned mobility platform globally.
Social Security for Drivers
The platform places a strong emphasis on driver welfare. Drivers, referred to as ‘Sarathis’, are provided with:
- Health insurance
- Accident insurance
- Retirement savings options
- A dedicated grievance and support system
The initiative aims to ensure long-term financial security and dignity for drivers while reshaping India’s urban mobility ecosystem.
