New Delhi: Launching the government-backed ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi at Vigyan Bhawan Thursday, Union Cooperation and Home Minister Amit Shah said no private cab aggregator can offer drivers the kind of “ownership” promised under the cooperative model.
Without naming any of the private platforms, Shah said that since the announcement of Bharat Taxi last year, one company reduced its commission by 30 percent, another began offering free rides while others rolled out lucrative offers for customers. “But I would like to tell you that no company will make you the owner of the company like Bharat Taxi,” Shah said, addressing a packed audience at Vigyan Bhawan that included cooperation ministry officials and registered Bharat Taxi drivers.
Last year, private players Ola and Uber started to shift to a subscription-based model from the commission-based model owing to changing market practices and pushback from drivers. Starting June last year, Ola shifted to a subscription model to capture the market early, whereas Uber followed suit in October.
“Companies are running taxis for their own benefit, whereas Bharat Taxi is for the benefit of Sarathis (drivers),” Shah said.
The Union minister hailed Bharat Taxi as working under the framework of “Sarathi Hi Malik”. Under the structure, drivers are enrolled as cooperative members, and given a direct stake in the platform’s ownership and profit-sharing.
The service follows a zero-commission and surge-free pricing system, ensuring that the entire fare amount is transferred directly to drivers, unlike private aggregators that “typically deduct a hefty commission”.
Outlining his ambition for Bharat Taxi, Shah said, “In three years’ time, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and from Dwarka to Kamakhya temple, the entire country will see the benefit of Sahakar Taxi.”
Shah also responded to criticism over the government’s role in the taxi business, clarifying that “government is not entering taxi service, it is the cooperative that is entering the taxi service, whose owner is the taxi driver”.
Addressing the Bharat Taxi drivers sitting in the audience, Shah said the cooperative is going to bring a drastic change in their lives, in their self-confidence, and in their financial situation. “I want to say this to my brothers and sisters, that you are currently driving a taxi and you will continue to drive a taxi with Sahakar (cooperative) but there is a big difference. Currently, your taxi is earning money for someone else, but under Sahakar-run Bharat Taxi you will be earning for yourself.”
Among other benefits, Shah said Bharat Taxi drivers would be eligible for health and medical insurance worth Rs 5 lakhs under Jan Arogya Yojna, free of cost. Drivers will also be covered under insurance, in case of accidents, by IFFCO-Tokio at a very small premium.
“All the schemes that are available on the e-Shram portal, will also be made available to all Bharat Taxi drivers,” he added.
Launched in August 2021, the e-Shram portal is designed to create a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), verified with Aadhaar, enabling the delivery of targeted welfare schemes and benefits.
On women’s safety, Shah said the mobile application has an SOS alert system that would notify nearby police stations. He added that the platform will soon introduce a Sarathi Didi (female driver) feature, allowing women passengers to opt for rides with female drivers.
“I want to tell mothers and sisters of India that Bharat Taxi will also ensure your safety through the concept of “Sarathi Didi” (female driver).” He added, “Sarathi Didi will come to you on a two-wheeler and take you to your destination at minimum cost.”
Shah also said that Bharat Taxi is only the beginning, with cooperatives expanding into more sectors. “In the coming time, we will enter 3-4 more new sectors through a national level cooperative.”
At the launch, Bharat Taxi signed a Memorandum of Understanding with nine organisations whose services will be or are already integrated into the platform. These include Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Police, State Bank of India, Airport Authority of India, Paytm and IFFCO-Tokio, among others.
Launched in the pilot phase in December 2025, Bharat Taxi has enrolled around 4 lakh drivers and over 10 lakh customers, with nearly Rs 10 crore distributed directly to Sarathis so far, according to a government press release.
Multi-State Sahakari Taxi Cooperative Ltd (Bharat Taxi) is registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and was established on 6 June, 2025. The cooperative society will be chaired by Jayen Mehta, former managing director of Amul. Its board will also include two representatives of Bharat Taxi drivers.
The cooperative is backed by eight major cooperatives, including the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).
(Edited by Vidhi Bhutra)
Also read: Why Karnataka High Court reversed its own order & lifted ban on bike taxis