Bharat Taxi, a new cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, was officially launched in India on Thursday, February 5, 2026, marking a major shift in the country’s taxi service market. The initiative, backed by the Ministry of Cooperation, aims to challenge the dominance of private cab operators such as Ola and Uber by offering a more equitable, transparent and affordable service for both drivers and riders.
The launch was flagged off by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, who highlighted that Bharat Taxi operates on a cooperative ownership model under Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, allowing drivers to be stakeholders rather than mere contractors. The platform is currently operational in the National Capital Region (NCR) and parts of Gujarat, and officials have outlined plans to expand the service to all states and union territories within the next three years.
One of the key features of the new service is its zero commission and surge-free pricing model, in which drivers retain a significantly larger share of their earnings and passengers benefit from fixed, transparent
The app allows users to book taxis, auto rickshaws, and bike taxis through a user-friendly interface available on both Android and iOS platforms. It also includes safety features like real-time GPS tracking, verified driver profiles, and an emergency SOS button. Additional customer support and multi-language options are built into the service to make it accessible for a wide range of users.
Government officials state that the cooperative structure will ensure fairer income distribution and better working conditions for drivers, while passengers stand to gain from lower fares and more transparent billing. The platform also includes initiatives targeted at increasing female driver participation and improving overall service quality.
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