The Indian government has entered the ride-hailing market with a new app called Bharat Taxi. The platform aims to compete with Uber, Ola, and Rapido, but with a major difference. The platform operates on a zero-commission model. This means drivers keep the entire fare, which gives them more control over their earnings. The app is currently available on Android and iOS app is coming soon.
At present, Bharat Taxi operates in Delhi and Gujarat, with plans to expand to major cities including Mumbai, Bangalore, and Pune. Bharat Taxi is designed to integrate two-wheelers, autorickshaws, taxis, and four-wheelers under one platform. This will improve first-mile and last-mile connectivity in urban and semi-urban areas.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah highlighted that the government’s objective is to provide drivers with ownership, fair pay, and decision-making powers in the growing app-based transportation sector.
Bharat Taxi is not just another ride-hailing app. It is a driver-owned cooperative platform, developed and managed by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Ltd. The app is being positioned as the world’s first national mobility platform entirely owned by drivers, with no government stake. Unlike traditional apps, drivers are not just service providers; they are members and stakeholders, sharing in the growth of the platform.
Even at its beta stage, Bharat Taxi has more than 51,000 registered drivers across Delhi and Gujarat. The cooperative is formed from a federation of eight major cooperatives, including NCDC, IFFCO, GCMMF, NABARD, NDDB, NCEL, and Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd. It is funded entirely through cooperative contributions and aims to provide a single-window, pan-India mobility system that ensures fair earnings for drivers and reliable, transparent service for commuters.
The biggest advantage of Bharat Taxi is financial transparency. Drivers receive the full fare with no commission deductions. Members have representation on the cooperative board, share in annual profits, and receive dividends. If successful, Bharat Taxi could redefine ride-hailing in India. With plans to scale nationwide, it has the potential to challenge global and private competitors while promoting financial independence for millions of drivers. This launch marks an important step in India’s journey towards equitable, technology-driven mobility solutions.
