Advertisement
When should a housing society in Mumbai start considering re...
From GST on JDAs to SEBI’s REIT reclassification and the S...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Stay ahead in the world of real estate with our daily podcas...
Bharat Taxi, India's first co-operative ride-hailing platform, has been launched by Union Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, with plans for pan-India expansion over three years. Developed by eight major co-operative organisations, including Amul, it gives drivers ownership, fair profit sharing, and social security coverage. Operating on a zero-commission, surge-free model, the platform allows bookings for cars, three-wheelers, and two-wheelers. Over 2.5 lakh drivers and 8.5 lakh passengers have joined. The platform prioritises driver welfare, women's safety, and cooperative governance through direct profit distribution and representation on its board.
Union Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah recently inaugurated Bharat Taxi, India's first co-operative ride-hailing platform, which has begun operations in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat and plans to expand nationwide over the next three years. The platform has been developed by eight leading co-operative organisations, including dairy giant Amul, aiming to provide drivers with significant income growth along with ownership benefits. Advertisement
Shah highlighted that rival ride-hailing companies have reduced commission rates and introduced customer incentives, including free rides, following the pilot success of Bharat Taxi. However, he emphasised that no other platform offers actual ownership to drivers, which remains the core principle of Bharat Taxi. During the launch event, attended by around 800-1,000 drivers, Shah stated that drivers will be both users and owners of the platform, with profits shared directly among them.
The platform has a revenue-sharing model where Rs 20 of every Rs 100 earned will be retained for operational purposes, while Rs 80 will be credited directly to drivers accounts. Notably, even the retained portion is considered part of driver ownership. Bharat Taxi allows customers to book cars, three-wheelers, and two-wheelers and operates on a zero-commission, surge-free pricing model, positioning itself as an indigenous alternative to foreign investment-based ride-hailing platforms.
Shah described four guiding principles for Bharat Taxi: ownership, security cover, dignity, and fair profit distribution under the mantra Everyone's Wheel, Everyone's Progress. So far, over 2.5 lakh drivers in Delhi-NCR have joined the platform, with more than 8.5 lakh passengers using it. IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance will provide personal accident and health coverage for all participating drivers.
The platform is managed by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, registered in June 2025 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, and promoted by NCDC, IFFCO, GCMMF (Amul), KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, and NCEL. The cooperative aims to establish a sustainable and democratic taxi service operated by drivers, ensuring safe, affordable transport for passengers while providing fair income, social security, and dignified livelihoods to drivers. Pilot operations had started in December last year in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat.
Shah clarified that the government itself is not entering the taxi business; rather, co-operatives are. He explained that the platform is unique globally because drivers, referred to as Sarathis, are the real owners, and the system will prioritise their welfare. Two driver representatives will be part of the board to ensure governance reflects the interests of driver-owners.
Bharat Taxi eliminates commission, booking fees, or hidden charges. Customer payments are automatically transferred directly into drivers accounts, supporting immediate and fair income distribution. Special emphasis has been placed on women's safety through the Sarathi Didi feature, which ensures registered female passengers are served only by women drivers.
Bharat Taxi has signed MoUs with nine key institutions, including Delhi Traffic Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Airport Authority, IFFCO Tokio Insurance, and State Bank of India. With its cooperative structure, driver ownership, and profit-sharing model, the platform aims to become a major welfare initiative for taxi drivers across India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
Source PTI
FAQ
Q1. What is Bharat Taxi and who launched it?
Bharat Taxi is India's first co-operative ride-hailing platform, launched by Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat. It has been developed jointly by eight major co-operative organisations, including GCMMF (Amul), NAFED, NABARD, and IFFCO, with plans to expand operations across India over the next three years. The platform is designed to provide drivers with ownership, fair profit-sharing, and social security, while offering passengers safe, affordable, and reliable transport services.
Q2. How is Bharat Taxi different from conventional ride-hailing platforms?
Unlike regular ride-hailing services that charge high commissions and retain most profits, Bharat Taxi gives drivers actual ownership of the platform. Drivers, called Sarathis, share directly in profits and participate in governance, with representation on the board. The platform operates on a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model, ensuring income stability for drivers and transparency for passengers. It prioritises driver welfare, financial security, and dignity, making it the first cooperative model of its kind globally.
Q3. What types of vehicles and services are available?
Bharat Taxi offers booking options for cars, three-wheelers, and two-wheelers, catering to a wide range of passenger needs. The platform is designed to serve both urban and semi-urban areas efficiently, providing safe, accessible, and affordable transportation. Special features, like Sarathi Didi, ensure women passengers can choose women drivers for enhanced safety.
Q4. How does the revenue and profit-sharing model work?
For every Rs 100 earned by a driver, Rs 80 is credited directly to their account, while Rs 20 is retained for operational expenses. Importantly, even the retained portion is considered part of driver ownership. This system ensures drivers receive the majority of the revenue while maintaining platform operations, and all earnings are transparent and directly transferred to drivers accounts without hidden charges or deductions.
Q5. What welfare and safety measures are in place for drivers and passengers?
All drivers are covered by personal accident and health insurance provided through IFFCO-TOKIO. The platform emphasises women's safety with the Sarathi Didi feature and promotes dignified working conditions. Training and support are provided to ensure drivers can operate efficiently, while cooperative governance allows them to have a say in operational decisions, ensuring long-term welfare and security.
Q6. Who manages Bharat Taxi and what partnerships support it?
Bharat Taxi is managed by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act. Its promoters include NCDC, IFFCO, GCMMF (Amul), KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, and NCEL. The platform has also signed MoUs with Delhi Traffic Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Airport Authority of India, State Bank of India, and insurance partners to ensure smooth operations, safety, and timely payments. Over 2.5 lakh drivers and 8.5 lakh passengers have already joined in the pilot regions of Delhi-NCR and Gujarat.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
