Amit Shah Launches Bharat Taxi

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on 5 February formally launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-based taxi service. Clarifying its nature, the Minister stressed that the platform is not a government-run service, underlining the distinction between Sahakar (cooperation) and Sarkar (government).

Registered Under Multi-State Cooperative Law

Bharat Taxi is the first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform in the country registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002. The cooperative was established on June 6, 2025, and brings ride-hailing within a democratically governed cooperative framework.

Zero Commission, Surge-Free Model

Unlike private aggregator platforms, Bharat Taxi follows a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model. The platform does not deduct even one percent from drivers’ earnings. Customer payments are credited directly and immediately to the driver’s bank account.

Drivers as Owners

Taxi drivers, known as ‘Sarathis’, are the real owners of the platform, with each Sarathi becoming a shareholder in the cooperative. The maximum share capital is capped at ₹500, ensuring affordability and genuine ownership rights for drivers.

Democratic Governance Structure

Elected representatives of Sarathis will be part of the Board of Directors, enabling drivers to participate directly in decision-making and governance of the platform.

Income-Centric, Not Capital-Centric

Officials said the objective of Bharat Taxi is not to build company capital, but to increase the income of its actual owners—the drivers, offering a people-centric alternative to foreign-funded aggregator models.

Multi-Modal Services and Women’s Safety

The service integrates four-wheelers, three-wheelers and two-wheelers, improving urban and last-mile connectivity. Women’s safety has been accorded special priority in the design and operation of the platform.