Gandhinagar: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah officially launched the Bharat Taxi service at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, marking a significant step towards expanding the cooperative movement into India’s transport sector. The initiative is India’s first driver-owned, cooperative-based ride-hailing platform aimed at empowering drivers while offering affordable and transparent mobility services.
Speaking at the launch, Amit Shah said that the cooperative movement is evolving beyond traditional sectors such as agriculture and dairy into technology-driven services. Bharat Taxi has been designed to ensure that drivers are not merely service providers but stakeholders who own and benefit from the platform.
Unlike conventional ride-hailing companies that charge commission from drivers, Bharat Taxi operates on a zero-commission model, allowing drivers to retain their full earnings while also becoming members of the cooperative society. The platform will provide taxi, auto-rickshaw, and bike ride services through a single digital ecosystem.
The service has been rolled out initially across 14 cities in Gujarat, with plans for a phased expansion throughout the state and eventually across India. The initiative is expected to generate sustainable employment, improve driver incomes, and promote an inclusive, cooperative-based business model in the mobility sector.
The Ministry of Cooperation views Bharat Taxi as a landmark initiative that combines digital innovation with the cooperative philosophy. By eliminating intermediary commissions and ensuring greater financial participation for drivers, the platform aims to create a fair, transparent, and people-centric transportation ecosystem.
