Why in news?
The Ministry of Cooperation has launched Bharat Taxi, a driver‑owned ride‑hailing platform that promises zero commission, surge‑free pricing and better working conditions. The service is being rolled out nationally after a successful pilot and aims to demonstrate the potential of cooperative models in the gig economy.
Background
Ride‑hailing services have transformed urban mobility but often burden drivers with high commission fees, erratic earnings and limited social security. Bharat Taxi addresses these issues through a cooperative structure where drivers (called “Sarathis”) collectively own and manage the platform. The service is operated by the Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd with support from the Ministry of Cooperation.
Features of Bharat Taxi
- Driver ownership: Every Sarathi holds a share in the cooperative. Profits are distributed among drivers instead of going to an intermediary company.
- No commission and surge‑free pricing: Riders pay transparent fares without surge pricing. Drivers keep the full fare minus a small platform maintenance fee.
- Multi‑modal options: The app allows users to book auto‑rickshaws, motorcycles and taxis through one interface, catering to diverse mobility needs.
- Safety and social security: Features include live ride tracking, a single‑tap SOS button and a “Bike Didi” initiative encouraging women drivers. Drivers receive health and accident insurance coverage as members of the cooperative.
- Rapid adoption: During the pilot phase the platform onboarded over 300,000 drivers and 670,000 users, completing about 10,000 rides per day. The cooperative has distributed more than ₹10 crore in earnings directly to drivers.
Bharat Taxi represents a shift towards worker‑owned platforms in India’s gig economy. By prioritising driver welfare and transparent pricing, it seeks to provide an alternative to conventional ride‑hailing models.
Source: PIB