Come November: Bharat Taxi — India’s First Cooperative Cab Service to Take on Ola and Uber

For years, app-based taxi users have complained about poor service quality, inflated fares, arbitrary ride cancellations, and sudden price surges. Drivers, too, have expressed discontent over high commissions — often losing up to 25% of their income to aggregators like Ola and Uber.

To address these long-standing issues, the Central Government has announced the launch of “Bharat Taxi” — India’s first cooperative taxi service, designed to give drivers full ownership of their earnings while ensuring affordable, transparent rides for passengers.

Developed under the Union Ministry of Cooperation in partnership with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Bharat Taxi will operate on a membership-based model rather than a commission-based one. Drivers will contribute only a nominal daily, weekly, or monthly fee, allowing them to retain nearly all their earnings.

“The idea is to make the system driver-centric and commuter-friendly, while ensuring accountability and service quality,” said an official from the Ministry.

Pilot Launch in November

The pilot phase of Bharat Taxi will begin in November 2025 in Delhi, starting with 650 vehicles operated by their owner-drivers. Following a successful test run, the full-scale rollout is planned for December 2025, extending to other major Indian cities.

Initially, 5,000 drivers — both men and women — will join the service nationwide. Over the next year, the platform will expand to 20 cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, Lucknow, and Jaipur.

By March 2026, the government plans to extend operations to all metro regions, and by 2030, Bharat Taxi aims to onboard 1 lakh drivers, reaching district headquarters and rural areas.

A Cooperative Alternative

Unlike private companies, Bharat Taxi will function as a cooperative enterprise, not a profit-driven corporation. It will be operated by the newly established Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, formed in June 2025 with an initial capital of ₹300 crore.

Oversight will be provided by a Governing Council, chaired by Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul). Rohit Gupta, Deputy Managing Director of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), will serve as Vice Chairman.

Officials believe the cooperative structure will not only empower drivers but also help maintain consistent service standards through government oversight and cooperative accountability.