Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first ride-hailing platform operated on a cooperative model, marking a significant shift in the country’s mobility sector. The service has been commercially rolled out in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat and is expected to expand across India within the next three years.
Addressing a gathering at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Shah said Bharat Taxi has been established by eight leading cooperative institutions, including dairy major Amul, and is designed to substantially increase drivers’ incomes while also giving them ownership in the platform.
He said that unlike conventional ride-hailing platforms, Bharat Taxi ensures profit sharing and collective ownership for drivers. Under its revenue model, the platform will retain Rs 20 out of every Rs 100 earned, while Rs 80 will be transferred directly to drivers’ bank accounts. Shah added that even the retained Rs 20 will belong to the drivers collectively, reinforcing the cooperative ownership structure.
Shah noted that competing ride-hailing platforms have already started reducing commissions and offering incentives, including free rides, after observing the success of Bharat Taxi during its pilot phase. However, he emphasised that ownership for drivers is a unique feature that no other platform currently offers.
“You will not only be drivers but also owners of the Bharat Taxi platform,” Shah said, addressing nearly 800 to 1,000 drivers who attended the launch event.
The platform allows customers to book cars, three-wheelers and two-wheelers, operating on a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model. Profits are distributed directly among drivers, positioning Bharat Taxi as a domestic alternative to foreign-funded ride-hailing companies.
India’s ride-hailing market is currently dominated by major players such as Uber, Ola and Rapido. Shah said Bharat Taxi is expected to emerge as a major welfare-oriented mobility solution for drivers across the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Dwarka to Kamakhya.
Following the launch of this mobility platform, Shah said cooperative institutions would venture into additional sectors in the coming years to further strengthen cooperative-led economic models.
Drivers associated with Bharat Taxi will receive personal accident and health insurance coverage through IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Company. The platform is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, which was registered on June 6, 2025, under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
The cooperative is jointly promoted by the National Cooperative Development Corporation, IFFCO, GCMMF (Amul), KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB and NCEL. Its objective is to establish a sustainable, democratic and driver-owned taxi service that offers affordable, safe and efficient transport to the public while ensuring fair income, social security and dignified livelihoods for drivers.
Bharat Taxi began pilot operations on December 2 in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat. According to the Ministry of Cooperation, the platform has emerged as the world’s first and largest cooperative-based ride-hailing service and the largest driver-owned mobility platform globally.
Since the pilot launch, more than three lakh drivers have joined the platform, with over 10,000 rides being completed daily across operational regions. Around Rs 10 crore has already been distributed directly to drivers. The platform prioritises social security for drivers, referred to as Sarathis, through health insurance, accident coverage, retirement savings and dedicated support systems. Support centres are currently operational at seven locations in Delhi.
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