New Delhi: In a bold move to reshape urban mobility, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is set to unveil the ‘Bharat Taxi’ app on Thursday. This pioneering cooperative ride-hailing service aims to deliver affordable rides, directly challenging giants like Uber, Ola, and Rapido.
Backed by the Ministry of Cooperation and operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited, Bharat Taxi positions itself as a driver-owned platform. Launching with a zero-commission model, it ensures 100% of passenger fares go straight to drivers, dubbed ‘Sarathi’ in a nod to their pivotal role.
The ministry emphasizes protecting drivers from exploitative policies rampant in private apps. Registration is free for drivers, fostering a fair ecosystem. Pricing is transparently structured: Rs 30 per km for the first 4 km, Rs 23 per km for 4-12 km, and Rs 18 per km beyond 12 km—rates designed to undercut competitors while ensuring viability.
Integration with public transit like metro systems will allow seamless multi-modal journeys in one app. Unlike rivals, Bharat Taxi plans to shun surge pricing, resorting to dynamic adjustments only in exceptional cases. Future phases introduce a 20% cooperative fee, redistributed as incentives to drivers.
Early traction is impressive. Over 150 women drivers have joined, with daily sign-ups surging to 40,000-45,000. Registered users exceed 400,000, propelling the app to 9th on Google Play and 13th on Apple App Store. Security features include emergency alerts, direct safety team contact, and in-app sirens.
Sign-up requires minimal details: phone, name, email. Plans include dedicated airport pick-up zones, with expansion to other transport hubs. This launch signals government’s push for cooperative models in everyday services, potentially transforming how millions commute across India.