Bharat Taxi Launched in Gujarat: Amit Shah Unveils Cooperative Ride Platform

Respectable Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah has officially launched the Bharat Taxi in the State of Gujarat on 27th June, 2026. Bharat Taxi is designed around the government’s vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation) and Bharat Taxi seeks to provide drivers, called as “Sarathis”, with ownership, financial security and dignity while offering commuters reliable transport services.

What Is Bharat Taxi?

Bharat Taxi is a cooperative-based mobility platform that was developed under the Ministry of Cooperation. Compared to conventional ride-hailing companies, which operate under investor-owned business models, Bharat Taxi operates as a cooperative in which drivers themselves become shareholders.

This platform currently supports multiple transport categories, including the,

• Two-wheelers
• Auto-rickshaws
• Four-wheel taxis

Its objective is to create a transparent and sustainable transport ecosystem that will directly benefit both commuters and service providers.

Instead of treating the vehicle operators simply as “drivers,” the platform refers to them as “Sarathis,” and it reflects their role as partners and owners rather than contract workers.

Amit Shah Launches Bharat Taxi in Gujarat

The platform was officially launched at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Speaking during the launch, Amit Shah has described the initiative as a milestone for the India’s mobility sector. He strongly emphasised that urban transportation has evolved far beyond the traditional taxi services and now includes two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws and multiple forms of the last-mile connectivity.

According to Shah, Bharat Taxi aims to solve the long-standing concerns that surround app-based ride services by introducing the cooperative ownership model that places the interests of Sarathis at the centre of the business.

This event was attended by Respectable Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, senior state ministers, cooperative leaders and representatives from the several national cooperative institutions.

Why Bharat Taxi Is Different from Existing Ride-Hailing Apps

One of the major distinctions lies in its ownership structure.

Most private mobility platforms operate as profit-driven companies where the drivers work independently while paying their commissions to the platform.

Bharat Taxi adopts the cooperative approach.

Key Differences

• Drivers become the shareholders in the platform.
• Earnings remain with Sarathis instead of high commission deductions.
• Greater transparency in the payments.
• Institutional support via loans and insurance.
• Long-term business expansion opportunities.
• Focus on welfare rather than investor profits.

More Than Seven Lakh Sarathis Already Associated

The cooperative platform has already witnessed substantial participation even before the its nationwide rollout.

Key figures announced during the launch includes the,

• More than 7 lakh Sarathis have already joined Bharat Taxi.
• Around 37 lakh customers have already used the platform’s services.

Operations have begun across the state of Gujarat, including cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, and other major cities.

Expansion Plan of Bharat Taxi

The Gujarat launch represents only the first phase of Bharat Taxi’s national roadmap.

According to Amit Shah:

• Services will be available in seven major Indian cities before July 31.
• Bharat Taxi plans also to expand to more than 500 cities and towns within the next two years.

This aggressive expansion strategy suggests that the cooperative platform intends to become the nationwide mobility network rather than remaining as the regional initiative.

Support from Major Cooperative Institutions

To establish a financially sustainable platform, there are several prominent cooperative organisations have joined the initiative.

These includes the,

• NCDC
• IFFCO
• KRIBHCO
• NDDB
• NABARD
• NCEL
• Amul

Strategic Partnerships Signed in Gujarat

During the launch, Bharat Taxi signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with several key organizations, including the,

• Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation
• Gujarat State Cooperative Bank
• Ahmedabad Traffic Police
• Ahmedabad Airport
• Western Railway

These partnerships are also expected to improve the connectivity, financial services, commuter convenience and operational efficiency.