Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with taxi drivers associated with Bharat Taxi in Delhi, engaging directly with their questions and addressing concerns about the newly launched ride-hailing platform. In a candid interaction, Shah assured drivers that Bharat Taxi is fundamentally different from its commercial counterparts — built not to chase profit for distant shareholders, but to put money directly into the pockets of those behind the wheel.
Launched on February 5, Bharat Taxi marks a significant departure from the conventional ride-hailing model. Billed as India's first cooperative ride-hailing platform, it carries government backing and is supported by three of India's most trusted cooperative institutions — Amul, IFFCO, and NABARD. The platform is structured around a driver-owned model, meaning the people who do the work have a genuine stake in the enterprise.
Shah was unambiguous about what this means in practice. "Earlier, a large part of your earnings went to the owners of those companies. With Bharat Taxi, you are the owners. The one who works hard should get the profit," he told the assembled drivers.
One of the most striking features of Bharat Taxi is its earnings structure. According to Shah, 80% of the platform's earnings will be distributed directly to drivers, with the remaining 20% retained in the company as the drivers' collective share. This means drivers benefit on two fronts — through their fare income and through a share of overall company profits.
"If Bharat Taxi earns Rs 25 crore, 20 per cent will go into the company's account as your share, and the remaining 80 per cent will be distributed based on taxi operations. Apart from fare income, you will also earn profit," Shah explained.
In a further break from industry norms, the platform charges no commissions — only a nominal membership fee of Rs 500. There will be no surge pricing, and fares will be clearly and transparently set, removing the unpredictability that has long frustrated both drivers and passengers on other platforms.
Shah stressed that the platform would operate on cooperative principles, with accounts remaining open and accessible to all driver-members. "The accounts will remain transparent and accessible to you. Bharat Taxi will not exploit you," he said, offering a pointed contrast to the opaque earnings structures that have drawn criticism from driver communities across major ride-hailing apps.
The cooperative model is particularly significant given the long-standing grievances of gig economy workers, who have frequently complained about high commission cuts, unpredictable algorithm-driven income, and little recourse when disputes arise. Bharat Taxi's structure is designed to address each of these pain points at the root.
Shah acknowledged that building a new platform from the ground up takes time, and asked drivers to remain patient over the next three years as Bharat Taxi grows its user base and expands its presence across multiple states. The message was one of long-term partnership rather than quick returns — fitting for a cooperative model where sustained growth benefits every member-owner.
With the backing of institutions like Amul and IFFCO — both icons of India's cooperative movement — Bharat Taxi carries significant credibility as it attempts to reshape the country's ride-hailing landscape. If it delivers on its promises, it could offer a compelling template for how platform economies can be restructured to serve workers rather than extract from them.
For India's taxi drivers, the proposition is straightforward: invest Rs 500, drive your cab, and become part of something you actually own.
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