Bharat Taxi has officially launched in india as a government‑backed ride‑hailing platform that aims to disrupt the dominance of private players like Ola, uber and Rapido by offering a cheaper, driver‑friendly alternative. The app was formally launched on 5 February 2026 in Delhi‑NCR by Union home and Cooperation minister Amit Shah, marking the debut of what’s being touted as a co‑operative, driver‑owned cab service.
📌 What Makes Bharat Taxi Different?
🛠️ Co‑operative, Driver‑Owned Model
- Bharat Taxi operates on a co‑operative ownership model called “Sarathi Hi Malik” (“driver is the owner”), where drivers — referred to as Sarathis — are co‑owners of the platform rather than gig workers tied to a corporate.
- Drivers pay a fixed daily app access fee (about ₹30 per day) instead of paying a commission on each ride like on ola or Uber.
💸 Zero Commissions & Cheaper Fares
- Zero commission on trips means more earnings for drivers and potentially lower fares for riders.
- Officials estimate that fares on Bharat Taxi could be up to ~30% cheaper than those on ola and uber, especially because there’s no surge pricing and no per‑ride cut taken by the platform.
- The platform also offers fixed and transparent pricing even during peak hours.
📱 Wide Initial Scale and Rollout Plans
- At launch, around 2.5 lakh vehicles are expected to be registered on the app in the Delhi‑NCR region.
- The cooperative aims for a nationwide rollout covering all states and Union Territories over the next three years.
- Early reports say over 4 lakh drivers have already registered on the platform.
📌 Driver Benefits & Safety Features
- The platform includes benefits for drivers, such as health and accident insurance, and aims to give them greater control over earnings.
- There’s a dedicated helpline for riders, and partnered safety booths with delhi Police to respond quickly to complaints.
🆚 How the Model Challenges ola & Uber
Feature
Bharat Taxi
Ola / Uber
Ownership
Driver co‑operative
Privately owned
Commission
0% (flat daily fee)
20–30% per ride (approx.)
Surge Pricing
No surge
Yes, often high
Fare Transparency
Fixed, predictable fares
Variable, dynamic
Driver Earnings
Higher share
Lower share after commission
Expansion
Rolling out nation‑wide
Already pan‑India
(Based on reported comparisons in features and pricing models.)
🚦 Early Market Reaction & Challenges
Early user reviews and trial rides suggest:
- Booking through the app is generally smooth, with confirmation times comparable to ola and Uber.
- Some ride fares may not always be the cheapest in every situation yet — price competitiveness can vary by time and route.
- The platform is still in initial deployment and will need greater operational scale and support infrastructure to fully take on established competitors.
📍 Why This Matters for India
The launch of Bharat Taxi is significant because:
- It reflects a shift toward cooperative models in the wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital economy.
- It promises to address longstanding driver complaints about commission and control.
- For commuters, it could mean more affordable and transparent cab prices.
This makes Bharat Taxi not just a new app, but a direct challenge to the existing ride‑hailing ecosystem dominated by private firms like ola and Uber.
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