Bharat Taxi, India’s ambitious cooperative ride-hailing platform, has begun pilot operations in Delhi and Gujarat, marking a disruptive shift in how cab services are structured in the country. Operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the platform is being pitched as an alternative to Uber and Ola, but with a people-first approach rooted in driver ownership, zero commission, and no-surge transparent pricing.
Backed by the Union Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Bharat Taxi is part of a broader effort to create cooperative economic models under the government’s “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” vision.
At the heart of Bharat Taxi is a cooperative business model where drivers are not just service providers but owners and stakeholders. Through shareholding, they gain decision-making rights and an equal stake in the platform’s success. These drivers, called Saarthis (meaning charioteers), will no longer be referred to as “driver bhaiya,” reflecting the dignity and partnership central to the platform’s ethos.
The pilot run began in November 2025, with beta testing of the Android app currently live in Delhi and the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The iOS version is expected shortly. Within just 10 days, the cooperative onboarded over 51,000 drivers, surpassing international benchmarks, including the New York-based Drivers Cooperative, which launched in 2020 with 4,000 members.
In Delhi alone, around 650 driver-owners have been mobilized for the initial phase, with a wider national rollout planned by December 2025.
For Drivers: Bharat Taxi offers an empowerment model, giving drivers better incomes, dignity, and security. The absence of middlemen and revenue-sharing allows them to earn more while shaping operational policies.
For Passengers: With transparent fares and reliable service, Bharat Taxi aims to fix issues that have plagued app-based cab services, from unclean vehicles to price unpredictability and poor customer support.
For Policy & Governance: It’s a significant example of cooperative economic models being implemented in modern digital ecosystems. The initiative supports the government’s broader aims of inclusive growth, self-reliance, and digitally-enabled livelihoods.
The Bharat Taxi project fits into the Union Government’s “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” initiative, which focuses on cooperative-led prosperity. It envisions a future where community-owned platforms can effectively compete with corporate giants, ensuring that profits and control stay with the people generating the value. By keeping both costs low for commuters and profits high for drivers, the platform strikes a balance that challenges existing capitalist service models.
Q1. What is Bharat Taxi?
Answer: Bharat Taxi is a cooperative ride-hailing platform in India, launched in 2025, aimed at empowering drivers through ownership and eliminating commission fees.
Q2. How does Bharat Taxi benefit drivers?
Answer: Bharat Taxi allows drivers to earn 100% of their fares, become shareholders, and have a voice in decision-making, enhancing their income and job security.
Q3. What are the key features of Bharat Taxi?
Answer: Key features include zero commission for drivers, no surge pricing, and integration with government digital services for a better user experience.
Q4. Where is Bharat Taxi currently operational?
Answer: Bharat Taxi has begun pilot operations in Delhi and Gujarat, with plans for a national rollout by December 2025.
Q5. What is the aim of the "Sahakar Se Samriddhi" initiative?
Answer: The initiative promotes cooperative-led economic models in India, aiming for inclusive growth and the empowerment of local communities through shared ownership.
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