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Drivers Take Control: Inside India’s First Cooperative Ride-Hailing App

India has entered a new era in ride-hailing with the launch of Bharat Taxi, the country’s first government-backed, cooperative ride-hailing app. Unlike traditional apps like Ola or Uber, Bharat Taxi is owned and managed by the drivers themselves, giving them control and a fair share of the earnings. The app is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited under the guidance of the Ministry of Cooperation. Its nationwide rollout was officially launched by Union Minister Amit Shah on February 5, 2026, after successful pilot runs in Delhi-NCR and other regions.

Drivers Take Control: Inside India’s First Cooperative Ride-Hailing App

A Platform Designed for Drivers

Bharat Taxi is not just another ride-booking app. Its main difference lies in its cooperative model.

While private ride-hailing companies treat drivers as gig workers, Bharat Taxi makes them stakeholders. Every driver is part of a collective that owns the platform, giving them a voice in decisions and a fairer share of profits. The government’s goal is clear:
Eliminate the middleman and let both drivers and passengers benefit.


Zero Commission, Transparent Pricing

One of the most striking features of Bharat Taxi is its zero-commission policy.

On most private apps, drivers lose 20–30% of their earnings to commissions. Bharat Taxi allows drivers to keep 100% of the fare, ensuring they earn more per ride.

The app also eliminates surge pricing, a common frustration for passengers during peak hours or bad weather. Instead:

  • Fares are fixed and transparent

  • No hidden charges

  • No unexpected spikes

This simple approach benefits both drivers and passengers, making rides more predictable and reliable.


Key Benefits for Drivers

Bharat Taxi offers several advantages that are rare in the gig economy:

  • Full fare income: No commission taken by the platform

  • Insurance coverage: ₹5 lakh accident insurance and health coverage for families

  • Cooperative ownership: Drivers have a real stake in the platform

  • Digital onboarding: Easy registration through the Bharat Taxi Driver app and DigiLocker verification

For many drivers, these benefits translate into higher income, better security, and dignity at work.


Safety as a Priority

Safety, particularly for women, has been given special attention. Bharat Taxi includes:

  • Live ride tracking

  • SOS button for emergencies

  • Police-verified drivers

  • Direct police coordination

The app also runs initiatives like “Bike Didi”, matching women passengers with female drivers wherever possible. These measures make the platform safer and more trustworthy for all users.


Easy and Familiar Booking Experience

For passengers, using Bharat Taxi is straightforward:

  1. Download the Bharat Taxi app

  2. Register with a mobile number

  3. Enter pickup and drop locations

  4. Choose between cab, auto, or bike taxi

  5. Check the fare

  6. Confirm the ride

The interface is simple and familiar, making it easy for users to switch from other ride-hailing apps without learning a new system.


Early Growth and Adoption

Bharat Taxi has already shown promising traction:

  • Over 10,000 rides per day

  • More than 3 lakh registered drivers

These numbers indicate strong interest, particularly from drivers looking for a fairer and more supportive platform.


Challenges Ahead

Despite early success, scaling Bharat Taxi nationwide will not be easy. Competing with established players like Ola and Uber will require:

  • Maintaining consistent service quality

  • Efficient operations at a large scale

  • Attracting and retaining passengers in urban and semi-urban areas

However, its driver-first, government-backed model gives it a unique advantage, offering an alternative approach to ride-hailing in India.


A Step Towards Fairer Mobility

Bharat Taxi represents more than a new app; it signals a shift in India’s mobility ecosystem.

For drivers, it provides:

  • Higher take-home earnings

  • Insurance and health benefits

  • A sense of ownership and dignity

For passengers, it offers:

  • Transparent and predictable fares

  • No surge pricing

  • Safer rides, especially for women

Even if Bharat Taxi does not immediately replace private giants, it introduces choice, fairness, and innovation in a market dominated by a few big players. For India’s ride-hailing industry, Bharat Taxi is not just an option—it is a revolution in cooperative mobility.

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