In News:

India is set to launch Bharat Taxi, the country’s first cooperative-run taxi service, in Delhi from 2027. Operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the initiative aims to provide a homegrown, driver-first alternative to private cab aggregators such as Uber and Rapido, aligning with India’s broader push for cooperative-led growth and digital public infrastructure.

Key Features of Bharat Taxi

1. Cooperative Ownership & Governance

• Bharat Taxi is structured as a cooperative platform, ensuring drivers are stakeholders rather than gig workers.
• It seeks to curb profit extraction by intermediaries and promote equitable income distribution among drivers.

2. Commission Model

• Zero-commission model initially: 100% of ride payments go directly to drivers.
• A proposed ~20% cooperative fee may be introduced later, which will be redistributed back to drivers as incentives, unlike conventional aggregator commissions.

3. Institutional Collaboration

The platform is being developed through collaboration among:

• National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
• Digital India Corporation
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited

This ensures integration with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

4. Digital Integration

Bharat Taxi will be integrated with:

• DigiLocker
• UMANG
• API Setu

These integrations will streamline driver onboarding, document verification, and service delivery.

5. Pricing Policy

• No surge pricing under normal conditions, enhancing affordability and predictability for commuters.
• Dynamic pricing permitted only under specific, clearly defined circumstances, unlike algorithm-driven surge pricing models.

6. Safety and Consumer Protection

• Driver verification and background checks.
• Integration with Delhi Police systems.
• Real-time ride tracking and 24×7 customer care, enhancing passenger safety and trust.

Significance

• Promotes the cooperative movement in the digital platform economy.
• Supports driver welfare, income stability, and transparency.
• Demonstrates the use of government-backed digital infrastructure for service delivery.
• Offers a public-interest alternative to profit-driven ride-hailing platforms.

In News:

• India is set to launch ‘Bharat Taxi’, the country’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, in November 2025, beginning in Delhi.
• The initiative marks a transformative step in the government’s efforts to democratise the digital economy by ensuring equitable participation and income security for gig workers, particularly cab drivers.
• The project is being implemented jointly by the Union Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

About Bharat Taxi

Bharat Taxi is a government-backed cooperative cab service designed to offer an alternative to private app-based aggregators such as Ola and Uber. It operates on the principle of “cooperative ownership and collective welfare”, where drivers act as both service providers and shareholders.

Implementing Structure

• Promoting Body: Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd., established in June 2025.
• Initial Capital: ?300 crore.
• Supported By: Leading cooperative institutions such as Amul, IFFCO, NAFED, KRIBHCO, NABARD, and the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
• Governance:
  • Chairperson: Jayen Mehta (MD, Amul/GCMMF)
  • Vice-Chairman: Rohit Gupta (Deputy MD, NCDC)

Objectives

• Empower Drivers: Convert cab drivers into cooperative members (“Saarthis”) and shareholders.
• Ensure Fair Earnings: Eliminate high commissions (up to 25% under private apps) through a zero-commission model.
• Provide Affordable, Transparent Rides: Introduce fare regulation with no surge pricing or hidden costs.
• Promote Cooperative Entrepreneurship: Strengthen India’s cooperative movement in the digital services economy.
• Enhance Urban Mobility: Offer a reliable, ethical, and citizen-friendly transport option integrated with government e-platforms.

Key Features