Bharat Taxi: Drivers to Receive 100% of Fare Earnings; Pilot Project Begins in Delhi This November
India is set to witness the launch of its first government-run ride-hailing platform, “Bharat Taxi,” a cooperative initiative developed jointly by the Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). The service aims to offer a safe, transparent, and driver-centric alternative to private cab operators like Ola and Uber.
The pilot project will begin in Delhi in November with around 650 drivers, followed by an official nationwide launch in December 2025. Over 5,000 drivers, including a large number of women “Sarathi” (drivers), are expected to join the initiative by the end of the year.
Drivers as Co-Owners, Zero Commission Model
Unlike private platforms that charge up to 25% commission per ride, Bharat Taxi will allow drivers to retain 100% of their fare earnings. Instead, they will pay a nominal subscription fee—daily, weekly, or monthly—based on usage.
The service will operate under the Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, established in June 2025 with a corpus of ₹300 crore. It functions as a subscription-based cooperative model, making drivers shareholders in the enterprise.
The Governing Council includes top cooperative figures such as Amul MD Jayen Mehta (Chairman) and NCDC Deputy MD Rohit Gupta (Vice Chairman), along with representatives from leading cooperatives nationwide. The council held its first meeting on October 16.
Key Features: Safety, Stability, and Inclusivity
The Bharat Taxi app—available in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English—will be launched on app stores in November. Key features include:
- Direct police integration and a panic button for passenger safety.
- Transparent and stable pricing, without surge fares.
- Bonuses and dividends for cooperative members based on performance.
- Dedicated insurance and free training for women drivers under the Mahila Sarathi initiative, starting November 15.
Expansion Roadmap
- Dec 2025–Mar 2026: Launch in Rajkot, Mumbai, and Pune with 5,000 drivers.
- Apr–Dec 2026: Expansion to Lucknow, Bhopal, and Jaipur; 15,000 drivers, 10,000 vehicles.
- 2027–28: Pan-India coverage in 20 major cities, integrated with FASTag.
- 2028–2030: Rollout to all district headquarters and rural areas with over 1 lakh drivers.
With Bharat Taxi, the government aims to create a cooperative-driven, safe, and equitable mobility ecosystem, giving India’s drivers both ownership and dignity in the gig economy.