New Delhi, February 5: India is set to launch its first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, ‘Bharat Taxi’, today. Ahead of the inauguration, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that drivers will not only earn more profits but also gain respect as owners of the service.
In a post on the social media platform ‘X’, Shah emphasized the power of cooperation, saying, “’Bharat Taxi’ exemplifies how many people can come together to make a significant start with small investments. Today is a crucial day for taxi drivers. The first cooperative taxi service initiated by them will be launched in New Delhi. Drivers will earn more and own their service with dignity. I look forward to participating in this event.”
According to the Ministry of Cooperation, the launch of ‘Bharat Taxi’ aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Prosperity through Cooperation’. This initiative is a significant step in strengthening the cooperative sector and promoting inclusive, citizen-centered mobility solutions. ‘Bharat Taxi’ is envisioned as a transformative initiative in the mobility sector, placing drivers—referred to as ‘Saarthis’—at the center of ownership, operations, and value creation, freeing them from exploitative aggregator-based models.
During the event, six top-performing Saarthis will be honored for their exceptional contributions to the cooperative mobility ecosystem. The minister will distribute share certificates to these Saarthis, reinforcing the principle of ‘Saarthi is the Owner’. Each honored Saarthi will receive personal accident insurance of ₹5 lakh and family health insurance of ₹5 lakh, reflecting ‘Bharat Taxi’s commitment to driver welfare and long-term social security.
Additionally, nine memorandums of understanding (MOUs) will be signed with key public and private stakeholders to enhance operational integration, digital empowerment, safety, and service delivery.
The Ministry of Cooperation notes that ‘Bharat Taxi’ is India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act of 2002, established on June 6, 2025. It operates on a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model, ensuring direct profit distribution to drivers, thus presenting a domestic alternative to foreign investment-based aggregator platforms.
‘Bharat Taxi’ prioritizes social security for Saarthis through health insurance, accident insurance, retirement savings, and a dedicated driver assistance system. Support centers are operational at seven major locations in Delhi. The platform provides quick emergency assistance, verified ride data, and allows drivers to work on other platforms without exclusive conditions. Initiatives like ‘Bike Didi’ promote women’s empowerment, with over 150 female drivers already joining ‘Bharat Taxi’.
Since its inception, ‘Bharat Taxi’ has emerged as the world’s first and largest cooperative-based ride-hailing platform and the largest driver-owned mobility platform globally. Approximately 400,000 drivers have joined the ‘Bharat Taxi’ platform, with over one million users registered. So far, nearly ₹10 crore has been directly distributed to drivers.
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