Bharat Taxi: India’s First Cooperative Cab Service to Start in December 2025
On October 23, 2025, the Government of India announced that the country’s first cooperative taxi service will begin operations in December. Named “Bharat Taxi,” the initiative aims to provide a safer, transparent, and driver-owned alternative to private companies like Ola and Uber.
The pilot project will launch in Delhi in November with 650 drivers. By December, the service will expand to other states, adding around 5,000 drivers and female “Saarthis” (women drivers).
Unlike private ride-hailing companies, Bharat Taxi will operate under the Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). It is India’s first national cooperative ride-hailing platform where drivers will also be co-owners. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited.
Who Will Operate Bharat Taxi?
Bharat Taxi will function under a membership-based model run by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited, established in June with an investment of ₹300 crore. This app-based service is part of the Digital India initiative.
The governing council will be chaired by Amul MD Jayen Mehta, with NCDC Deputy Managing Director Rohit Gupta as Vice Chairman, and eight additional members from cooperative societies across India. The board held its first meeting on October 16, 2025.
How Bharat Taxi Differs from Ola and Uber
| Aspect | Ola / Uber | Bharat Taxi |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Private Corporate | Cooperative Society, Drivers as Co-owners |
| Commission | 20–25% per ride | 0% Commission (only membership fee) |
| Pricing | Dynamic, peak-time surge | Fixed, transparent rates |
| Incentives | Company-based targets | Cooperative bonus, dividends |
| Safety | App features only | Linked with police stations, distress button |
| Expansion | Market-driven | Focus on rural and semi-urban areas |
Note: Per-kilometer fare rates are currently being finalized.
Bharat Taxi – Explained in Four Key Questions
1. How will users access Bharat Taxi?
The Bharat Taxi app will function similar to Ola and Uber. It will be available on app stores from November and will support Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
2. What benefits will drivers get?
Drivers will receive 100% of each ride’s earnings and pay only a small daily, weekly, or monthly subscription fee. This fee will be nominal compared to corporate commissions.
3. What is the role of women “Saarthis”?
The initiative aims to empower women by training female drivers. Initially, 100 women will join in the first phase, with plans to increase this number to 15,000 by 2030. They will receive free training and special insurance from November 15.
4. What is Bharat Taxi’s expansion plan till 2030?
- Dec 2025 – Mar 2026: Launch in Rajkot, Mumbai, and Pune with 5,000 drivers (multi-state operation).
- Apr – Dec 2026: Expansion to Lucknow, Bhopal, and Jaipur with 15,000 drivers and 10,000 vehicles.
- 2027–2028: Pan-India service in 20 cities with 50,000 drivers; integration with FASTag.
- 2028–2030: Rural and district-level expansion with 100,000 drivers nationwide.