Amit Shah to launch India’s first cooperative taxi service, Bharat Taxi

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah is set to launch Bharat Taxi , India’s first cooperative-sector ride-hailing platform, today at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ , meaning “prosperity through cooperation”, aims to strengthen the cooperative sector while promoting citizen-centric mobility solutions .

Bharat Taxi is designed to put drivers, called Sarathis , at the centre of ownership and operations, offering an alternative to traditional ride-hailing apps. The platform operates on a zero-commission, surge-free pricing model, with profits directly shared with drivers . Special initiatives such as ‘Sarathi Didi’ and ‘Bike Didi’ promote women’s safety and participation. Drivers also enjoy personal accident and family health insurance , retirement support, and the freedom to work across multiple platforms.

Unlike Uber and Ola, Bharat Taxi is driver-owned and cooperative . While Uber and Ola charge commissions and control the platform, Bharat Taxi gives drivers both ownership and profits , along with social security benefits and women-focused empowerment programmes, making it a fairer and more inclusive alternative .

During the launch, the top six performing Sarathis will be honoured with share certificates and insurance coverage, reflecting Bharat Taxi’s commitment to driver welfare and social security. Over three lakh drivers have joined the platform, completing more than 10,000 rides daily across Delhi-NCR and Gujarat.

As part of the programme, nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be exchanged with key stakeholders to enhance digital tools, safety, and service delivery. More than 1,200 Sarathis from across the country are expected to participate, highlighting the cooperative platform’s growing reach.

Bharat Taxi aims to expand nationwide within two years, establish support centres in every State, and build a sustainable, inclusive, driver-owned mobility ecosystem. With over ₹10 crore already distributed directly to drivers, it is set to become the world’s largest driver-owned mobility network.