Bharat Taxi:
The Union Home Minister officially launched the cooperative-model ride-hailing platform, Bharat Taxi, in Gujarat, recently.Bharat Taxi is India’s first cooperative-led, driver-owned, ride-hailing platform registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.It is a government-supported initiative developed under the Union Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).It differs from private ride-hailing platforms by treating drivers as “Sarathis” and making them shareholders in the cooperative instead of merely service providers.Developed by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited, Bharat Taxi is backed by eight major cooperative institutions — NCDC, GCMMF (Amul), NDDB, NAFED, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NABARD, and NCEL.Drivers can purchase shares and become cooperative members, giving them transparency and decision-making power.Unlike private cab aggregators that take a large cut, Bharat Taxi transfers the full fare to the driver.Fares will remain predictable, with no surge charges.Integration of the Bharat Taxi platform with national digital platforms such as DigiLocker, UMANG, and API Setu.Ensuring adherence to Government of India’s data protection norms and cybersecurity standards and advising on robust technical infrastructure.Bharat Taxi would provide support to Sarathis through loans, insurance, and business expansion opportunities.
