Parliament Question: Launch and operational framework of Bharat Taxi

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4164 ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026 LAUNCH AND OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF BHARAT TAXI 4164 :Shri Rajinder Gupta Will the Minister of COOPERATION be pleased to state: (a) Whether Government has launched Bharat Taxi as a cooperative-based ride-hailing platform and, if so, the objective and key features thereof including the zero-commission model for driver-partners; (b) the number of drivers and cooperative societies registered so far, State/UT-wise and the cities where services are operational or proposed; (c) the financial, technical and institutional support extended by Government for the platform’s development; (d) the challenges in adoption, including competition from established private aggregators and digital literacy barriers; and (e) the measures proposed to ensure wider uptake of the platform and protect the earning and welfare of registered driver-partners ? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION (SHRI AMIT SHAH) (a) The Ministry of Cooperation is committed to empowering cooperatives as instruments of employment generation, social security and grassroots economic participation. Bharat Taxi is envisaged as a transformative intervention in the mobility sector by placing drivers—referred to as Sarathis—at the centre of ownership, governance, and value creation, thereby offering a sustainable and dignified alternative to aggregator-driven models. “Bharat Taxi” is India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform. This is a major milestone in the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the cooperative sector and promote inclusive, citizen-centric mobility solutions, in line with the vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’. Registered under the Multi- State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Bharat Taxi was established on 6 June 2025 by 8 national level institutions working in field of cooperatives and officially launched on 5th February, 2026.The cooperative aims to ensure fair and transparent earnings for drivers, eliminate commission- based exploitation, promote participatory decision-making, and provide access to social security benefits while simultaneously providing safe and affordable ride options to commuters. The platform operates on a subscription-based model, with drivers as members and stakeholders of the cooperative.Key features include a zero-commission structure, transparent fare mechanisms, and governance through cooperative institutions, facilitating retention of earnings by driver- partners. (b) As of 23rd March, 2026, the platform has onboarded approximately 4.31 lakh driver-partners. The services are presently operational in Delhi-NCR and select cities in Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Surat. Driver onboarding has also commenced in Chandigarh and Lucknow. Bharat Taxi plans to expand the service in phases to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, as well as district and tehsil levels across the country over the next three years. (c) Institutional cooperation, digital infrastructure enablement, and facilitation within the cooperative ecosystem are driving the development of Bharat Taxi. The Ministry of Cooperation, Government of Indiaas part of the mandate as per the The Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 of promoting cooperative-based economic development model to develop the country endeavours for creation of appropriate policy, legal and institutional framework to help cooperatives realise their potential. (d) Initial challenges include competition from established private aggregators with deep market penetration, as well as digital adoption barriers among certain sections of driver-partners. Efforts are being made to address these through welfare and awareness, training, and improved user experience along with e-governance tools. (e) Bharat Taxi has proposed multiple measures to ensure wider adoption, including expansion to additional cities, awareness campaigns, driver onboarding initiatives, and welfare- oriented provisions. The focus remains on ensuring sustainable earnings, social security, and long-term empowerment of driver-partners through cooperative ownership. *****