Cooperative-Based Bharat Taxi App Set for Launch

Cooperative-Based Bharat Taxi App Set for Launch

Why in the News ?

The Union government has announced the upcoming nationwide launch of Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform. The initiative aims to empower drivers, reduce dependence on private aggregators, and expand the cooperative sector’s digital presence across major Indian cities.

Government’s New Cooperative Mobility Initiative:

• The Centre will soon roll out Bharat Taxi, the country’s first cooperative ride-hailing app, as confirmed by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha.
• The service will operate through Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, a multi-state cooperative society registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
• Registered on June 6, 2025, the cooperative will manage taxis, autos, and bike services across multiple cities.
• The initiative supports the government’s strategy to expand cooperative-led businesses and enhance driver income security.
• Shah stated that the cooperative model will help reduce driver dependence on private mobility companies.

Key Features of Bharat Taxi Rollout

• Pilot operations have begun in Delhi, offering taxis, autos, and bike rides under a soft launch.
• Over 51,000 drivers have already registered on the platform, according to cooperative chairman Jayen Mehta.
• The app will function on a driver-partner model, where profits are equitably distributed among cooperative members rather than centralized.
• The service aims to offer fair pricing, improved driver welfare, and reduced commission cuts typically charged by large private aggregators.
• The initiative aligns with the government’s goal of growing digital public infrastructure (DPI) in the mobility sector.