New Delhi: The Centre is set to enter India’s ride-hailing market with a cooperative-led mobility platform designed to reduce commercial drivers’ dependence on private players like Ola and Uber. The Ministry of Cooperation confirmed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the government will soon launch a new digital system titled ‘Bharat Taxi’, operated entirely by a multi-state cooperative.
Responding to questions on the initiative, Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said, “Yes, the government proposes to launch a cooperative-led digital App mobility platform which will support to free the country’s commercial vehicle drivers from dependency on private companies.” The app, he said, will be run by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act on 6 June 2025.
According to the ministry’s submission, Bharat Taxi is being positioned as a driver-first alternative to existing aggregator platforms. The app promises user-friendly ride booking, transparent fares, vehicle tracking, multilingual support, and 24/7 customer service. Onboarding procedures will be secure and verified, with the government emphasising that the platform will ensure “inclusive mobility, tech-enabled support and safety measures to the citizens.”
The economic model marks a major departure from the high-commission str
ucture of current private platforms. The government said the app’s zero-commission policy will allow drivers to retain their entire income from each ride. As per the ministry, “drivers will get full earnings from each ride,” and profits of the cooperative will be “distributed directly to drivers.”
The transparent pricing framework is expected to benefit both drivers and passengers, potentially altering the competitive landscape in India’s urban mobility market. Officials believe the cooperative structure, combined with zero commissions, could significantly increase take-home pay for drivers while offering more predictable pricing for customers.