Bharat Taxi Begins Trials in Delhi and Gujarat

Bharat Taxi, India’s ambitious cooperative ride-hailing platform, has begun pilot operations in Delhi and Gujarat, marking a disruptive shift in how cab services are structured in the country. Operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the platform is being pitched as an Uber and Ola alternative — but with a people-first approach rooted in driver ownership, zero commission, and no-surge transparent pricing.

Backed by the Union Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Bharat Taxi is part of a broader effort to create cooperative economic models under the government’s “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” vision.

What Makes Bharat Taxi Different?

At the heart of Bharat Taxi is a cooperative business model where drivers are not just service providers, but owners and stakeholders. Through shareholding, they get decision-making rights and an equal stake in the platform’s success. These drivers, called Saarthis (meaning charioteers), will no longer be referred to as “driver bhaiya”, reflecting the dignity and partnership central to the platform’s ethos.

Key elements of the platform include,

• Zero Commission Policy: Drivers take home 100% of the fare — a radical departure from mainstream aggregators that charge up to 30% in commissions.
• No Surge Pricing: Passengers benefit from fixed, predictable fares, addressing long-standing complaints of price fluctuations during peak hours or adverse conditions.
• Driver Ownership: Drivers can buy shares in the cooperative, gain transparency into earnings, and contribute to platform policies.
• Digital Integration: Bharat Taxi will link to DigiLocker, UMANG, and other government digital services to enhance user and driver experience.

Trial Phase: Early Momentum in Delhi and Gujarat

The pilot run began in November 2025, with beta testing of the Android app currently live in Delhi and the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The iOS version is expected shortly. Within just 10 days, the cooperative onboarded over 51,000 drivers, surpassing international benchmarks — including the New York-based Drivers Cooperative, which launched in 2020 with 4,000 members.

In Delhi alone, around 650 driver-owners have been mobilised for the initial phase, with a wider national rollout planned by December 2025.

Why Bharat Taxi Could Reshape Indian Ride-Hailing

For Drivers:

Bharat Taxi offers an empowerment model, giving drivers better incomes, dignity, and security. The absence of middlemen and revenue-sharing allows them to earn more while shaping operational policies.

For Passengers:

With transparent fares and reliable service, Bharat Taxi aims to fix issues that have plagued app-based cab services — from unclean vehicles to price unpredictability and poor customer support.

For Policy & Governance:

It’s a major example of cooperative economic models being implemented in modern digital ecosystems. The initiative supports the government’s broader aims of inclusive growth, self-reliance, and digitally-enabled livelihoods.

The Broader Vision: Sahakar Se Samriddhi

The Bharat Taxi project fits into the Union Government’s “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” initiative, which focuses on cooperative-led prosperity. It envisions a future where community-owned platforms can effectively compete with corporate giants, ensuring that profits and control stay with the people generating the value.

By keeping both costs low for commuters and profits high for drivers, the platform strikes a balance that challenges existing capitalist service models.

Key Takeaways

• Bharat Taxi pilot has launched in Delhi and Gujarat, with wider rollout expected by end of 2025.
• Unique Features
• Zero commission — drivers keep 100% of earnings
• No surge pricing — transparent fare structure
• Driver-owned cooperative model with democratic governance
• Deep integration with government digital platforms like DigiLocker and UMANG