NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 06, 2026: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated Bharat Taxi, the nation’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing service, at Vigyan Bhavan on Thursday evening. Operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Ltd (STCL), the initiative marks a transformative step in India’s mobility sector, offering a driver-owned alternative to conventional aggregators like Uber and Ola.
Built on the principles of inclusivity, transparency, and social security, Bharat Taxi introduces a zero-commission model where drivers, known as Sarathis, pay a nominal daily access fee of ₹30 (₹18 for autos) and retain the rest of their earnings. The platform eliminates surge pricing, ensuring fares remain consistent and up to 30% lower for passengers. Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Bharat Taxi empowers drivers with shareholder rights, dividends, and voting privileges. Each Sarathi is covered with ₹5 lakh personal accident insurance, ₹5 lakh family health insurance, and retirement savings benefits.
The service also emphasises inclusivity through the Bike Didi programme, which has already onboarded over 150 women drivers. Safety remains a priority with real-time tracking and an SOS feature linked to local police. Following successful pilots in Delhi-NCR, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot, Bharat Taxi is now fully operational in these regions, with over 3 lakh drivers and 1 lakh registered users at launch. The government has announced plans for a nationwide rollout across all states and major cities within two years, positioning Bharat Taxi as a landmark cooperative model in India’s transport ecosystem.
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