Source: DH
Context: India is set to launch ‘Bharat Taxi’, the country’s first cooperative cab service, in November 2025 in Delhi under the aegis of the Ministry of Cooperation and National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
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About Bharat Taxi – India’s First Cooperative Cab Service:
What it is?
- Bharat Taxi is a government-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform that empowers cab drivers as members and shareholders, ensuring collective ownership, transparency, and equitable income distribution — a departure from the corporate aggregator model.
Ministry:
- Implemented by the Union Ministry of Cooperation in collaboration with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
Aim: To establish a fair, transparent, and sustainable cab ecosystem that ensures driver welfare, eliminates exploitative commissions, provides affordable rides for passengers, and integrates seamlessly with India’s digital governance ecosystem.
Key Features:
- Cooperative Model: Managed by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd. with an initial capital of ₹300 crore and backed by cooperatives like Amul, IFFCO, NAFED, KRIBHCO, NABARD, and NCDC.
- Driver Ownership: Drivers, called “Saarthis”, are shareholders rather than contract workers, retaining 100% of fare earnings.
- Digital Integration: Linked with DigiLocker, UMANG, and API Setu for secure identity verification and service access.
- No Surge Pricing or Hidden Costs: Fares are regulated and transparent, ensuring affordability for commuters.
- Phased Rollout: Launch with 650 driver-owners in Delhi (Nov 2025); expansion to 20 cities by 2026 and 1 lakh cabs nationwide by 2030.
Significance:
- Promotes the cooperative entrepreneurship model in India’s digital economy.
- Ensures income security and dignity for drivers while addressing urban mobility challenges.
- Reduces dependence on private aggregators, encouraging fair competition and local ownership.
