Bharat Taxi is set to launch in New Delhi on Thursday as a cooperative-based alternative to Uber and Ola. Backed by the Cooperation Ministry, the app promises lower fares, no commission, and a driver-owned model aimed at fair pricing and better welfare.
Bharat Taxi, India’s first in-house ride-hailing service, is set to launch today. Backed by Union Ministry of Cooperation, Bharat Taxi aims to offer relief to users by promoting fair pricing and driver welfare.
The service, positioned as an alternative to
Uber and Ola, operates on a cooperative model by the Government of India.
Taking to X, Ministry of Cooperation confirmed that Amit Shah will be launching Bharat Taxi on February 5, 2026 in New Delhi. The post stated that this will prove to be a milestone and driven by the principle of ‘Sarathi Hi Malik,’ which offers zero-commission and surge-free pricing for all.
Bharat Taxi Launching Today: Hon’ble Union Home & Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah will officially launch India’s first cooperative-led ride-booking platform! Driven by the principle of ‘Sarathi Hi Malik,’ this indigenous alternative offers zero-commission and surge-free… pic.twitter.com/tkaFqL1dOf
— Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India (@MinOfCooperatn) February 5, 2026
The Bharat Taxi will be launched at around 3 PM today, and the app is expected to expand across more states and cities in the country.
What is Bharat Taxi?
Bharat Taxi is a ride-hailing app built on a cooperative model. According to the Union Ministry of Cooperation, the platform places drivers at the centre of ownership, operations, and value creation. The government says this approach will help drivers break free from exploitative practices of private ride-hailing players.
Interestingly, Bharat Taxi is not a direct initiative of Government of India, instead it is run and managed by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited and major cooperative institutions, including IFFCO, Amul, NCDC, NABARD, NDDB, KRIBHCO, NAFED and NCEL.
How does it work?
The service operates on a distinct model. Each driver, referred to as a “Sarathi,” holds five shares in the cooperative.
Unlike private aggregators, Bharat Taxi doesn’t charge any commission on fares. Drivers only pay a fixed fee of Rs 30 to access the app, after which all trip earnings go directly to them.
The structure aims to address long-standing driver complaints over high commissions and limited control on platforms such as Uber and Ola.
Coming to the app, it features various ride categories—including AC and non-AC cabs, XL cabs, autos, and bike taxis—similar to what the competition has to offer.
The app now also has a modern interface that looks on par with other ride-hailing services.
But what about rider’s safety? It incorporates built-in safety measures, including a helpline which help the riders contact helplines in case of any mishap.
In collaboration with the Delhi Police, 35 special booths have been set up to address concerns. Before providing service, all drivers undergo a verification process to enhance security for passengers using the service.
Much lower price
The highlight of the app is that Bharat Taxi promises to offer much lower price than the competition, like Ola and Uber.
According to the reports, riders can expect significantly lower fares, around 30 per cent cheaper than private competitors. While traditional ride-hailing apps often deduct Rs 30 to Rs 50 as commission per ride, Bharat Taxi’s zero-commission model allows those savings to flow directly to passengers.
Launch timeline
India launched the pilot app in Delhi in November 2025 with 650 vehicles. During this phase, by December 2025, the service was expanded to cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Jaipur.
Now, as we move forward, the target is to add more metro cities by March 2026. Moreover, it also aims for 1 lakh drivers and rural reach by 2030.
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