Bharat Taxi: Government-backed cooperative ride-hailing service to launch in India
India is set to get a new entrant in the ride-hailing space with the upcoming launch of Bharat Taxi, a government-backed cooperative platform designed to put drivers at the centre of the business. The service, announced by Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah, is expected to roll out in phases, beginning with major urban regions before expanding nationwide.
The initiative is being positioned as an alternative to private cab aggregators, responding to long-standing concerns from drivers about high commissions and uneven income distribution. Officials associated with the project say the platform’s core promise is simple: fares earned from rides will largely go directly to drivers, rather than being shared with a private company.
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What is Bharat Taxi and who is behind it?
Bharat Taxi is being developed under the Ministry of Cooperation and will operate through a cooperative structure rather than a conventional corporate model. Instead of drivers being treated as partners of a private firm, they are expected to become members of a cooperative, giving them a direct stake in the platform.
According to officials, the app will be managed by a cooperative entity supported by government digital infrastructure, with a focus on transparency, predictable pricing, and long-term sustainability for drivers.
Why the government is stepping in
Speaking at a cooperative sector conference, Amit Shah said the idea behind Bharat Taxi is to correct what he described as an imbalance in existing ride-hailing models, where a significant share of earnings goes to platform owners. In contrast, the cooperative model is intended to ensure that drivers retain most, if not all, of the fare collected from passengers.
The move also aligns with the Centre’s broader push to strengthen cooperative institutions across sectors, especially those linked to employment and rural livelihoods.
How Bharat Taxi may work
While full operational details are still awaited, officials have outlined several key features expected at launch:
- Zero or minimal commission on rides
- No surge pricing, aiming for stable and transparent fares
- Support for multiple vehicle types, including cabs, auto-rickshaws, and bike taxis
- A multilingual mobile app for passengers and drivers
- Availability on both Android and iOS platforms
Drivers are also expected to receive insurance coverage, addressing a major gap in social security within the informal transport sector. In addition, provisions are being explored to allow regulated advertising on vehicles, creating an additional income stream.
What it could mean for passengers
For passengers, the government says the focus on driver welfare will go hand in hand with reliability and safety. Features such as live GPS tracking, verified driver profiles, emergency SOS options, and ride-sharing with trusted contacts are expected to be part of the app.
Officials believe predictable pricing and the absence of surge charges could make fares more affordable, particularly during peak hours when prices on private platforms often rise sharply.
Rollout plans and what comes next
Bharat Taxi is expected to begin with a pilot or initial launch in select regions before expanding to other cities. Authorities have indicated that the platform could go live within the coming months, although the exact launch date and city-wise schedule are yet to be formally announced.
If successful, the cooperative model could introduce a significant shift in how app-based mobility services operate in India, especially in terms of income security for drivers.
Also read: Latest updates on public transport and mobility initiatives on BharatDetails.com
As the launch nears, all eyes will be on how Bharat Taxi balances affordability for passengers with sustainable earnings for drivers in a highly competitive market.
