Bharat Taxi is a government-backed ride-hailing service in India, led by the Ministry of Cooperation. It challenges private apps like Ola, Uber, and Rapido with a fair, driver-owned model. The app will support taxis, auto-rickshaws, and bike taxis, offering GPS tracking, SOS safety, and multilingual support on Android and iOS.
Launch and Operations
The service launches commercially on January 1, 2026, after pilots in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat. Hundreds of vehicles tested the platform, with over 50,000 drivers registered early. It will expand nationwide, focusing on equitable mobility.
Cooperative Model and Revenue
Run by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, drivers own and govern it as members. Key perks include:
- Zero per-ride commissions—drivers keep 80-100% of earnings via modest membership fees.
- Fair revenue sharing, insurance, and flexible membership.
This differs from high-fee private apps, boosting driver welfare like Amul-style cooperatives.
Features for Riders and Drivers
Riders get:
- Transparent, predictable fares without surge pricing.
- Multiple vehicle options and verified drivers.
- Safety tools like live sharing and emergency SOS.
Drivers benefit from higher pay, control, and governance, creating a balanced ecosystem.
Strategic Impact and Challenges
Bharat Taxi promotes transparency and driver empowerment in India’s gig economy. It could reshape the market by prioritizing fairness over profits. However, it faces hurdles like competing with established apps on tech, scale, and user adoption. Success depends on seamless operations and growth.