In a major boost for India’s gig economy workers, ‘Bharat Taxi’, the nation’s first cooperative ride-hailing service, launches Thursday in New Delhi. Home Minister Amit Shah praised the initiative on X, stating it will allow drivers to earn higher profits while becoming proud owners of the platform.
‘This cooperative model shows how ordinary people pooling modest capitals can achieve extraordinary starts,’ Shah wrote. ‘A landmark day for driver brothers and sisters as their first cooperative taxi service, Bharat Taxi, goes live. They’ll profit more and own it with honor. Looking forward to the event.’
This launch embodies PM Modi’s prosperity-through-cooperation mantra, fortifying the cooperative landscape with citizen-centric mobility solutions. Bharat Taxi reimagines the mobility sector by centering drivers as owners, shielding them from aggregator exploitation.
Top performers will be felicitated with share certificates from the minister, along with comprehensive insurance packages: Rs 5 lakh accident cover and Rs 5 lakh family health insurance per Sarathi. Nine MoUs with stakeholders will drive advancements in operations, tech, safety, and delivery.
India’s pioneering cooperative-led platform, incorporated in 2025 under relevant laws, ditches commissions and surges, channeling benefits straight to drivers. It challenges FDI-heavy rivals with a patriotic, driver-first approach.
Welfare features include insurance, pensions, assistance networks, and Delhi-based help desks. Emergency aids, data transparency, and multi-platform flexibility empower users. The ‘Bike Didi’ program has empowered 150+ women drivers.
Rapidly scaling to global prominence, Bharat Taxi boasts 400,000 drivers, 1 million users, and Rs 10 crore in direct payouts. This launch signals a transformative shift towards equitable mobility, promising dignity and prosperity for millions.