Bharat Taxi App Launches with Zero Commission Model, Aims to Transform Ride-Hailing
In a significant move to reshape India's ride-hailing landscape, the Bharat Taxi app was formally launched on February 5 by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. This cooperative initiative promises a revolutionary zero-commission model for drivers and reasonable pricing for customers, positioning itself as an alternative to private aggregators like Uber and Rapido.
A Driver-Centric Cooperative Model
The app, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd (STCL), is designed as a driver-owned initiative. During sign-up, drivers can purchase shares of the cooperative, with a minimum of five shares valued at Rs 500. This structure ensures that drivers will receive dividends once the company becomes profitable, fostering a sense of ownership and participation.
Ashok Kumar, a 55-year-old driver in New Delhi, and Dharmesh Goswami, a 44-year-old driver in Rajkot, are among the early adopters. Both expressed optimism despite initial challenges. "We would much prefer using the government app rather than private aggregator companies that take commission from us," said Goswami, who is part of a 300-member informal cab drivers' group in Rajkot.
Expansion and Current Reach
The pilot project began in late November and early December 2025 in Delhi-NCR and Rajkot, later expanding to select cities including Ahmedabad. According to Vivek Pandey, Chief Operating Officer of Bharat Taxi, more than 2.5 lakh drivers have signed onto the app, with over 1 lakh remaining active daily. Additionally, around 7 lakh customers have downloaded the app, and the platform currently reports approximately 10,000 bookings daily across the country.
To increase visibility, the app is marking its presence at high-footfall areas such as airports, metro stations, and railway stations. At Delhi airport, pre-paid taxi booths have been taken over by Bharat Taxi, with an estimated 5,000 daily bookings. In Rajkot, 6,000 drivers registered within two months, averaging about 100 daily rides, while Ahmedabad saw 30,000 taxi and autorickshaw drivers join within a week of its January 20 launch.
Government Backing and Strategic Partnerships
Bharat Taxi is supported by a collaboration between STCL, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), and entities like Amul and NABARD. The government has sought cooperation from central and state ministries to promote the app within official premises and communication channels.
Pandey highlighted the advantages of government backing, stating, "The company gets a lot of perks since it is government backed. For instance, Amul has thousands of booths across the country, where we can market... or we can get our insurance through IFFCO Tokio." The app has also secured an agreement with Delhi Metro for preferential treatment at 10 stations.
Pricing and Subscription Model
While the app is currently free for drivers, a minimal daily subscription fee is planned from February. Kamil Hussain, founder of Hindustani Berozgar Drivers Samaj, noted that drivers currently pay 30-40% commissions to private companies, but Bharat Taxi offers relief. Kishan Patani, a board member of STCL, pegged the future subscription at Rs 30 per day for taxis and Rs 18 per day for auto rickshaws.
The app aims to provide fair and transparent pricing, avoiding dynamic surge pricing during peak hours. "We don't want to be the cheapest, but the fairest price in the market," a government official emphasized. However, some customers have reported teething troubles, such as increased fares and operational inefficiencies at booths.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Drivers like Nazir Mahervani in Rajkot highlighted concerns about non-competitive pricing and rising costs, hoping that the cooperative model will allow them to help set fair fare rates. Pandey assured that pricing algorithms will improve with more operational data.
The government aims to make Bharat Taxi operational nationwide by 2029 and establish it as the largest ride-hailing app in India. With its cooperative structure and driver-centric approach, Bharat Taxi represents a bold step towards redefining mobility solutions in the country.
