On April 1, in New Delhi (PTI), Union Minister Amit Shah told Parliament on Wednesday that the government-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi faces early-stage challenges. These include tough competition from established private players like Ola and Uber, as well as resistance from some driver partners in certain regions to adopting digital systems.
Measures to Address Challenges
In the Rajya Sabha, responding to a query, Shah said that the government is implementing welfare measures, awareness initiatives, training, and efforts to improve user experience through e-governance tools to address these challenges.
Establishment and Growth of the Platform
Bharat Taxi was established on June 6, 2025, under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, by eight national-level cooperative institutions, and it launched on February 5 this year. By March 23, the platform had enrolled approximately 431,000 driver-partners.
Current Operations and Expansion Plans
The service currently operates in Delhi-NCR and in Gujarat cities—Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Surat—while the platform is onboarding drivers in Chandigarh and Lucknow. The government plans to expand the service systematically over the next three years, rolling it out in phases to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Eventually, it intends to extend the service to district and tehsil levels across the country.
Strategies to Promote Adoption
Shah said that Our Bharat Taxi has proposed several measures to promote adoption, including city-wise expansion, awareness campaigns, and driver onboarding initiatives. He added that the platform focuses on driver onboarding, supported by awareness campaigns and welfare-oriented provisions.
Focus on Driver Welfare and Empowerment
They said that the authorities focus on this matter to ensure sustainable income, social security, and long-term empowerment of driver-partners through cooperative ownership.
Unique Business Model
Unlike traditional ride-hailing platforms, Bharat Taxi follows a subscription-based model in which drivers act as both members and stakeholders of the cooperative, rather than just service providers. Its key features include a zero-commission system, transparent fare policies, and cooperative governance, all designed to help drivers retain a larger share of their earnings.
Addressing Gig Economy Concerns
The cooperative also tackles long-standing issues in the gig economy by eliminating commission-based exploitation, encouraging participatory decision-making, and ensuring access to social security benefits, while continuing to provide commuters with safe and affordable rides.