In News:

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister launched ‘Bharat Taxi’, India’s first cooperative-based taxi service, aimed at transforming the unorganised taxi sector into an ownership-driven, driver-led model.

The initiative seeks to replace the commission-based aggregator model with a cooperative ownership framework, ensuring greater income security and social protection for drivers.

Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited

Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited is the multi-state cooperative society operating the Bharat Taxi platform.

• Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002
• Established on June 6, 2025
• Drivers are referred to as “Sarathis”
• Ownership and governance lie with driver-members rather than corporate investors

Promoted By

Leading cooperative institutions including:

• National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
• Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF – Amul)
• Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO)
• National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED)
• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
• National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL)

Objectives

• Driver Empowerment
  • Shift from gig-worker status to ownership rights.
  • Drivers become “Malik” (owners) of the platform.
• Economic Freedom
  • Eliminate high commission charges (20–30%) taken by private aggregators.
  • Ensure maximum income retention for drivers.
• Women’s Safety & Inclusion: Promote safe and dignified travel options for women.
• Social Security for Gig Workers: Integrate welfare benefits and financial security measures.

How the Model Works

1. Share-Based Membership

• Drivers join by purchasing cooperative shares (starting from ?500).
• Members receive voting rights and share in profits.

2. Zero-Commission Model

• No percentage cut per ride.
• Instead, a flat daily access fee:
  • Approx. ?30 for cabs
  • Approx. ?18 for autos

3. Direct Payments: Ride fares are transferred directly to the Sarathi’s bank account.

4. Democratic Governance: Two Sarathi representatives sit on the Board of Directors.

Key Features

1. Sarathi Didi Initiative

• Dedicated in-app option for women passengers.
• Enables booking rides with female drivers (Sarathi Didis).

2. No Surge Pricing: Transparent and fixed pricing, even during peak hours.

3. Integrated Mobility Services: Two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers on a single platform.

4. Social Safety Net Integration

• Linked with the e-Shram portal.
• Access to welfare schemes such as:
  • Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY – coverage up to ?5 lakh)
  • Other gig worker social protection benefits.

5. Digital Payments Integration: Partnerships with fintech platforms enable seamless mobile payments.