Inspired by Amul, it boasts ‘zero commission’ for drivers, meaning they keep 80-100% of earnings.
India’s first government-backed cooperative taxi service officially launched on January 1, 2026, positioning itself as a challenger to dominant ride-hailing platforms Ola and Uber. Bharat Taxi, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, promises fixed fares starting at Rs 30 for the first four kilometres with no surge pricing.
The service initially rolled out in Delhi-NCR after pilot operations that attracted over 51,000 registered drivers. The platform offers multiple vehicle categories, including non-AC, AC, premium and XL cabs, with fares set at Rs 23 per kilometre for trips between 4 and 12 kilometres, and Rs 18 per kilometre for longer distances.
Cooperative Model Inspired by Amul
Unlike traditional ride-hailing platforms that charge drivers 20-30 per cent commission per ride, Bharat Taxi operates on a zero-commission model where drivers retain between 80 and 100 per cent of their earnings. The cooperative structure mirrors India’s dairy giant Amul, with Jayen Mehta, managing director of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, serving as chairman.
Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act in June 2025 with an initial capital of Rs 300 crore, the platform is backed by major cooperative institutions, including IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, and NCDC. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced the initiative in Parliament, emphasising that “profits will not go to any big industrialist but will go solely to the drivers of the vehicles”.
Safety Features and Expansion Plans
The platform includes driver verification, integration with Delhi Police systems, real-time GPS tracking, and an emergency SOS button. The app, available on Android and iOS, features a multilingual interface and 24/7 customer support.
The service coincides with separate Delhi government efforts to reduce vehicular emissions. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Wednesday that cab aggregators, including Ola, Uber, and Rapido, have been directed to resume ride-sharing services within one month and develop carpooling frameworks. These features were discontinued during the pandemic due to COVID-19 transmission concerns.
Bharat Taxi plans to expand to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Bhopal, Lucknow, and Jaipur in the coming months, with a target of reaching 20 cities and onboarding 1,00,000 drivers by 2030.
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