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Bharat Taxi operates on a cooperative ownership model where each driver on the platform (Sarathi) holds shares in the cooperative, giving them a stake in the business
The app will be available on both Android and iOS, and can book different vehicle types from autos and bike taxis to AC, non-AC and XL cabs. (AI-Generated Image)
In a move that could change the landscape of cab hailing in India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched “Bharat Taxi” on Thursday as a cooperative-led alternative to private players such as Uber, Ola, and Rapido. The key aim of the new service is to offer a fairer, more driver-centric model in the gig economy.
So, what exactly is Bharat Taxi and can it change the cab-hailing experience in India? News18 takes a look
How Does Bharat Taxi Work?
Unlike traditional private apps, Bharat Taxi is managed by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited—a cooperative registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act—and backed by major Indian cooperatives, including IFFCO, Amul, NABARD and others.
According to Business Standard, at its core, Bharat Taxi operates on a cooperative ownership model where each driver on the platform (Sarathi) holds shares in the cooperative, giving them a stake in the business. Instead of traditional percentage commissions per ride, drivers pay a fixed daily access fee (around Rs 30) to use the app. This is intended to let drivers keep a far larger share of the fare.
The app will be available on both Android and iOS, and can book different vehicle types from autos and bike taxis to AC, non-AC and XL cabs. The service also includes built-in safety features, 24×7 support, multilingual interfaces and integration with transit options like the metro for smoother last-mile travel.
Will It Put More Money In The Pockets Of Drivers?
One of the central promises of Bharat Taxi is higher earnings for drivers. This is to be ensured through a zero-commission model as drivers do not give a share of fare revenue to the platform on a per-ride basis. They only pay the daily fee. Apart from this, as cooperative members, drivers can participate in profit distribution and governance.
According to NDTV, there are also social security benefits for the drivers such as health and accident insurance and retirement savings plans. It is because of these structural differences, the model is pitched as potentially more financially rewarding than the commission-based gig systems dominant today.
How Is Bharat Taxi Different From Ola & Uber?
In Bharat Taxi, drivers are shareholders and co-owners in the cooperative, while in Uber/Ola, drivers are usually independent contractors without equity or profit rights.
What might make the service more appealing to drivers is that in Bharat Taxi, there is no per-ride commission; only a fixed daily fee. However, in Uber/Ola, there is typically a percentage commission per trip, which can be a major cost for drivers.
Will It Bring Cheer To Commuters?
In good news for commuters, Bharat Taxi’s launch pricing is surge-free, aiming to avoid price spikes during peak hours, unlike its private competitors.
Officials believe savings from the zero-commission approach could make rides on Bharat Taxi up to ~30 per cent cheaper compared with private players, though actual pricing may vary by market and time.
Bharat Taxi has also set up dedicated support booths in collaboration with police agencies (e.g., 35 booths with Delhi Police), and features in-app emergency support—a push to match or exceed existing safety norms.
Can Bharat Taxi Disrupt The Market?
The launch of Bharat Taxi represents a significant attempt by the government and cooperative sector to transform India’s ride-hailing industry by addressing two long-standing criticisms of private aggregators:
Driver dissatisfaction over high commissions and lack of control.
Unpredictable pricing for riders due to surge algorithms.
By formalising a cooperative, ownership-focused alternative, Bharat Taxi could introduce new competitive pressure on established players and reshape how gig economy platforms operate in India.
After its launch in Delhi and the National Capital Region on Thursday, the service is expected to expand across other states and cities over the next two years. Initial uptake includes roughly 2.5 lakh vehicles registered in the Delhi-NCR region alone, according to NDTV.
February 05, 2026, 12:48 IST
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