Pune: India’s First Cooperative Taxi Service “Bharat Taxi” to Launch in December
New Delhi, 24th October 2025: The central government is set to launch the country’s first cooperative taxi service, Bharat Taxi, in December, aiming to provide a safer and more equitable alternative to private ride-hailing platforms like Ola and Uber.
The pilot project will begin in Delhi in November with 650 drivers, before expanding to other states next month. By then, 5,000 drivers, including women “sarathi,” are expected to join the platform.
Developed by the Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division, Bharat Taxi is a national cooperative ride-hailing platform where drivers will also be co-owners. The initiative was formalized through an MoU with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, a membership-based cooperative established in June with a corpus of ₹300 crore.
How Bharat Taxi Will Differ from Private Operators
Unlike Ola and Uber, which operate as private companies charging dynamic rates and commissions, Bharat Taxi will offer a 0% commission model for drivers, with earnings shared directly after paying a nominal membership fee. The platform will provide stable, transparent pricing, cooperative bonuses, and dividends. Safety is a key focus, with app features integrated with local police stations and a distress button for emergencies.
The platform will initially recruit 100 women drivers, with plans to increase this number to 15,000 by 2030. Women drivers will receive free training and special insurance starting November 15.
Governance and Management
Bharat Taxi will be governed by a council chaired by Amul MD Jayen Mehta, with NCDC Deputy Managing Director Rohit Gupta as vice-chairman. The board also includes eight members from various cooperative societies across India, with its first meeting held on October 16.
App and Accessibility
The Bharat Taxi app, available from November in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English, will function similarly to existing ride-hailing apps. Passengers can book rides seamlessly, while drivers retain full earnings from each trip.
Expansion Plans
The service will roll out in Rajkot, Mumbai, and Pune from December to March 2026, with 5,000 drivers and a multi-state operation. From April to December 2026, it will expand to Lucknow, Bhopal, and Jaipur, covering 15,000 drivers and 10,000 vehicles. By 2027-28, Bharat Taxi aims to operate in 20 major cities with 50,000 drivers, linked to FASTag. By 2030, the cooperative model will reach district headquarters and villages nationwide, involving 100,000 drivers.
Bharat Taxi represents a significant step in India’s Digital India initiative, combining technology, cooperative ownership, and safety-focused ride-hailing to create a more inclusive transport ecosystem.
