Bharat Taxi App Launched 2026: How the Cooperative Cab Service Takes on Ola & Uber

The newly launched Bharat Taxi app is being positioned as a strong alternative to popular ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido. Backed by a cooperative model, the app promises surge-free fares, zero commission for drivers, and improved safety features for passengers.

Union Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah officially inaugurated Bharat Taxi in New Delhi on Thursday, marking the launch of India’s first cooperative-driven ride-hailing service. The initiative is being seen as a major boost to the cooperative movement, with a focus on affordable, people-centric urban transport.

According to the Ministry of Cooperation, Bharat Taxi is designed to put drivers—referred to as Sarathis—at the centre of the ecosystem. Unlike traditional aggregator platforms, drivers have ownership, control over daily operations, and full access to their earnings. The aim is to reduce dependency on aggregator-led models that often limit drivers’ income and decision-making power.

What is Bharat Taxi?

Bharat Taxi is a ride-hailing app built on a cooperative ownership model. As per the Union Ministry of Cooperation, the platform ensures that drivers are central to ownership, operations, and value creation, helping them move away from what the government describes as exploitative private aggregators.

It is important to note that Bharat Taxi is not directly run by the Government of India. The service is managed by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, a cooperative supported by professionals who have earlier worked with Amul—one of the world’s most successful cooperative models.

The app is available for download on both Android and iOS. Users can search for “Bharat Taxi – Cab, Auto & Bike” on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

How Bharat Taxi’s Model Is Different

Bharat Taxi follows a unique operational model. Every driver, known as a Sarathi, owns five shares in the cooperative. Unlike private ride-hailing companies, Bharat Taxi does not deduct commission from each ride. Instead, drivers pay a fixed daily access fee of ₹30 to use the platform.

This structure directly addresses long-standing concerns among drivers regarding high commissions and lack of control on platforms such as Ola and Uber.

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For passengers, the benefit comes in the form of lower fares. Officials estimate that rides on Bharat Taxi could be up to 30% cheaper than private competitors. While traditional apps often deduct ₹30–50 per ride as commission, Bharat Taxi’s zero-commission model allows these savings to be passed on to customers. The platform has earlier claimed to have over 4 lakh registered drivers.

Safety Features and Support

Bharat Taxi has built-in safety features, including a dedicated customer helpline. In partnership with the Delhi Police, 35 special help booths have been set up to quickly address passenger complaints and concerns.

All drivers undergo a verification process conducted by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, adding an extra layer of security for passengers.

Initial Performance

The service was rolled out on a trial basis in December 2025 across Delhi and Gujarat. During the pilot phase, Bharat Taxi recorded an average of around 5,500 rides per day, with nearly 4,000 of those being airport trips.

How Passengers Can Register

Passengers can get started by downloading the Bharat Taxi – Cab, Auto & Bike app from the Play Store or App Store. After opening the app, users need to register using their 10-digit mobile number and verify it via OTP. Once verified, basic details like name and email can be added to complete the profile.

Users can then book rides by entering pickup and drop locations and choosing from available options such as auto, bike, economy, or sedan.

How Drivers (Sarathis) Can Join

Drivers interested in joining Bharat Taxi need to download the Bharat Taxi Driver app from the Google Play Store. Registration begins with mobile number verification through OTP.

Applicants must upload required documents, including a commercial driving licence with a yellow badge, PAN card, Aadhaar card, vehicle RC, insurance papers, and PUC certificate. The onboarding process includes a background verification by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited and may require visiting a designated support centre.

After submitting bank account details and completing verification, the driver account is activated, allowing Sarathis to start accepting ride requests on the platform.

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