The desi rival to Uber is witnessing a strong reaction from Indians. Bharat Taxi, the cooperative-driven ride-hailing platform promoted by the Ministry of Cooperation, is witnessing a notable early growth, adding approximately 45,000 new users daily in recent days. The app has already crossed over 400,000 registered customers since its soft launch, signalling strong interest in this driver-owned alternative to private aggregators like Ola and Uber.
The rapid adoption of the Bharat Taxi app was highlighted by the official X account of the Ministry of Cooperation, which described the current phase prior to a full-scale nationwide expansion. The momentum aligns with the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” initiatives, spearheaded by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
Bharat Taxi and its driver-centric cooperative model
Operated by New Delhi-based Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, Bharat Taxi stands out with its zero-commission structure, allowing drivers to retain nearly 100% of their earnings – a stark contrast to the 20-30% cuts imposed by competitors like Uber and Ola. Drivers become stakeholders in the cooperative, with opportunities for board representation, profit sharing, and potential dividends.
The platform draws inspiration from successful cooperatives like Amul, with Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Amul (GCMMF), serving as chairman. It enjoys backing from major institutions, including IFFCO, NABARD, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NDDB, NCEL, and NCDC.
Technologically, Bharat Taxi relies on the same backend as the ONDC-integrated Namma Yatri app, developed by Moving Tech Innovations, ensuring a reliable and familiar user experience.
Bharat Taxi key features and benefits
– Transparent Pricing: Fixed fares with no surge pricing, even during peak hours or bad weather.
– Safety Focus: Police-verified drivers, live tracking, ride sharing with contacts, and multilingual 24/7 support.
– Ride Options: Includes autos, bikes, taxis, and intercity travel.
The app is available for passengers (Bharat Taxi) and drivers (Bharat Taxi Driver) on both Android and iOS platforms.
Bharat Taxi expansion plans
Following a soft launch in select regions like Delhi and Gujarat, Bharat Taxi began wider operations from January 1, 2026. The government aims to extend services to major metros (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata), followed by tier-2 cities, semi-urban, and rural areas, to enhance mobility access nationwide.
