Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday announced that Bharat Taxi, India's cooperative ride-hailing platform, will be expanded to 500 cities and towns across the country over the next two years, describing it as a major step towards strengthening the cooperative movement and empowering drivers.
Speaking at the official launch of Bharat Taxi, Shah said the platform is designed to create a fair and transparent mobility ecosystem by making drivers, referred to as Sarathis, direct stakeholders in the business.
He said the cooperative model would ensure that drivers receive a larger share of their earnings while passengers benefit from safe, reliable and affordable transportation services. According to Shah, the initiative reflects the government's commitment to promoting cooperative enterprises that prioritise people's welfare over corporate profits.
The Home Minister also took aim at existing app-based taxi aggregators, alleging that they charge high commissions from drivers, delay payments and suspend driver accounts without adequate justification. He said Bharat Taxi seeks to address these issues by offering a more equitable platform where drivers have ownership and greater financial security.
Referring to reports on market pricing, Shah claimed that some established ride-hailing companies are currently operating at a loss in an attempt to counter the cooperative initiative. However, he expressed confidence that Bharat Taxi would emerge as a strong and sustainable alternative in the country's rapidly growing mobility sector.
Drawing a comparison with the success of the Amul cooperative movement, Shah said Bharat Taxi embodies the same spirit of collective ownership and public participation, empowering people through the cooperative model.
To strengthen transport integration and improve services for commuters and drivers, Bharat Taxi signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key organisations during the launch event. These include the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Gujarat State Cooperative Bank, the State Traffic Police, major airports and railway authorities.
The agreements are expected to enhance connectivity, improve operational efficiency and support the expansion of Bharat Taxi as it aims to establish a nationwide presence in the coming years.
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