Also read: Amit Shah launches Bharat Taxi, says ‘Sarathi hi malik’ as government unveils cooperative taxi service
Launched by Union Cooperation Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah after a two-month pilot, Bharat Taxi aims to position itself as a people-centric alternative to aggregator-led mobility, with the promise of zero commission, peak-free pricing and collective ownership for drivers (called Sarathis) under the cooperative model.
What is Bharat Taxi?
Bharat Taxi is a digital mobility platform developed by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, a multi-state cooperative society, and is supported by the Ministry of Cooperation.
The Bharat Taxi app allows users to book autos, bike taxis and taxis (including economy, sedan, XL and priority options) through a single interface. It is currently available on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Unlike conventional taxi platforms that charge drivers commissions of 20-30% per trip, Bharat Taxi operates on a zero-commission model, with profits distributed directly to drivers, the Ministry of Cooperation said. The platform has also introduced initiatives such as “Bike Didi”, which has already connected more than 150 women drivers, with the aim of addressing safety concerns while increasing livelihood opportunities.
Early traction and pilot rollout
According to government data, Bharat Taxi has already onboarded over 3 lakh drivers and over 6.7 lakh users, with around 10,000 rides per day in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat’s Saurashtra region, where the pilot was conducted.According to one PTI According to the report, around Rs 10 crore has been distributed directly to the drivers, besides social security benefits such as health insurance, accident cover and retirement savings.
Also read: Bharat Taxi starts trials in Delhi and Gujarat. Here’s everything you need to know about this Uber alternative
Safety, transparency and ownership
For passengers, Bharat Taxi considers safety and predictability as key differentiators. The app includes a one-tap SOS button linked to local police control rooms, emergency contact alerts, a loud siren in the app and live trip tracking that can be shared with family and friends.
But the core of the platform is structural rather than technological.
“Bharat Taxi is conceived as an alternative to conventional aggregator-based mobility services and seeks to redefine urban transportation by putting drivers at the center of the platform,” the Ministry of Cooperation said in its launch note.
The cooperative approach, built around the slogan ‘Sarathi Hi Malik’ (the driver is the owner), allows drivers to hold shares in the platform. During the launch on Thursday, the best performing Sarathis were honored with certificates for their contributions.
Why now? A market at a turning point
The Indian taxi market is expected to grow from USD 21.07 billion in 2025 to USD 44.3 billion in 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%, according to Persistence Market Research data as of April 2025. Cab rides alone are expected to account for 58.6% of the market by 2025, driven by demand for last-mile connectivity and app-based convenience.
Yet this growth is accompanied by structural friction.
A 2023 survey by the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) found that 74% of Uber and Ola drivers found pay systems unfair and confusing, while 65% reported a significant drop in income compared to pre-2020 levels. High commissions, opaque incentive rules and limited recourse have led to repeated protests from drivers in cities.
Also read: Uber misses profit prospects, appoints new CFO for robotaxi future
At the same time, global taxi giants are shifting their focus. Uber, for example, is investing heavily in autonomous vehicle (AV) infrastructure, even as margins tighten. According to MintIndia is Uber’s third largest market, with users traveling 7.1 billion miles by 2025, but future capital is increasingly focused on long-term AV ambitions rather than driver-focused reforms.
A busy but evolving competitive landscape
Bharat Taxi is entering a market dominated by aggressive, well-funded players.
Rapido, which started with pedicabs, claims a market share of about 50% across all categories and operates in nearly 450 cities, with plans to expand to 800 locations by March 2026, its vice president of finance said. The new Indian Express. Rapido has firmly positioned itself as a mass market player, with an emphasis on affordability and scale.
Meanwhile, Namma Yatri, a Bengaluru-born subscription-based platform developed in partnership with driver unions, has already shown that alternatives to commission-heavy models can gain popularity. According to Rest of the worldNamma Yatri facilitates nearly 1,90,000 rides a day and has helped 6,38,000 drivers earn over $175 million since its launch, forcing incumbents to adjust their own pricing models.
The number of government-supported experiments is also increasing. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s Momentum 2.0 app now integrates cars and bike taxis, while the government has openly shown interest in driver-owned platforms.
Also read: Delhi Metro to start bike taxis, autos and cabs from these 10 stations from January 31
A test of scale and trust
The Ministry of Cooperation has outlined ambitious plans: nationwide expansion within two years, support centers in every state, deeper integration with India’s digital public infrastructure, and partnerships between public and private stakeholders.
“In three years, Bharat Taxi will be rolled out across the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Dwarka to Kamakhya,” Shah said after launching the platform.
Whether Bharat Taxi can scale while maintaining service quality and avoiding the trust issues that plagued previous alternatives remains an open question.
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