Bharat Taxi: The "Desi" Revolution in India’s Ride-Hailing Market
India’s transportation sector is witnessing a massive shift with the launch of Bharat Taxi—India’s first government-backed, driver-owned cooperative ride-hailing app. Officially launched in early 2026 by the Ministry of Cooperation, this app promises to be a game-changer, challenging the monopoly of giants like Ola and Uber.
If you are tired of surge pricing, cancelled rides, or just want to support a platform that treats drivers fairly, here is everything you need to know about Bharat Taxi.
🚗 Why Do We Need Bharat Taxi in India?
For the last decade, the Indian market has been dominated by private aggregators. While they brought convenience, they also brought two major problems:
For Drivers (Sarathis): High commissions (often 25-30% of the fare) drastically reduced their earnings. Additionally, lack of job security and random ID blocking caused distress.
For Riders (You): Unpredictable "Surge Pricing" during peak hours and frequent ride cancellations by unhappy drivers.
Bharat Taxi fills this gap with a Cooperative Model.
It is built on the slogan "Sarathi Hi Malik" (The Driver is the Owner). It isn't just a company; it is a cooperative society where drivers hold shares, meaning the profits go back to them, not to a corporate headquarters abroad.
⚙️ How Does It Work?
Unlike private apps that act as "middlemen" taking a cut of every ride, Bharat Taxi operates on a Zero-Commission Model.
The Model: Drivers do not pay a percentage of your fare to the app. Instead, they pay a nominal fixed daily fee (e.g., roughly ₹30 for cars, less for autos/bikes) to use the platform.
The Result: The driver keeps 100% of the ride earnings.
The Backing: It is supported by the Ministry of Cooperation and involves major cooperative bodies, ensuring trust and stability.
📲 How to Install & Book a Ride (For Users)
Getting started is simple and very similar to other apps you already use.
Download: Go to the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS) and search for "Bharat Taxi".
Sign Up: Open the app and enter your mobile number. You will receive an OTP for verification.
Profile: Enter your name and basic details.
Book: Enter your pickup and drop location. You can choose from multiple categories:
Bharat Cab (Economy/Sedan)
Bharat Auto
Bharat Bike
Ride: Confirm the booking. You will see the driver's details and can track them in real-time.
🔥 Unique Bonus: The app also plans to integrate Metro Ticket Booking, allowing you to plan a complete journey (Cab + Metro) in one single app!
🚖 How to Register as a Driver (Sarathi)
If you or someone you know wants to join as a driver, the process is designed to be "Sarathi-friendly."
Download Driver App: Search for the "Bharat Taxi Driver" app on the Play Store.
Register: Enter your mobile number and verify via OTP.
Upload Documents: You will need to upload clear photos of:
Driving License (DL)
Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)
Aadhaar Card / PAN Card (for KYC)
Vehicle Insurance & Permit details.
Verification: The backend team will verify the documents. Since this is a cooperative, the verification is strict to ensure passenger safety.
Payment: Once approved, the driver pays the small daily subscription fee to start receiving rides.
🆚 Bharat Taxi vs. Others (Ola/Uber): The Main Benefits
Here is why Bharat Taxi is standing out in the crowded market:
| Feature | Bharat Taxi | Other Private Apps (Ola/Uber) |
| Commission | 0% Commission (Drivers keep the fare) | 25-30% Commission deducted |
| Pricing for Users | No Surge Pricing (Stable, transparent fares) | Prices skyrocket during peak hours |
| Driver Status | Co-owner (Holds shares in the coop) | Gig worker (No ownership) |
| Cancellations | Lower (Drivers are happier getting full fare) | High (Drivers cancel if destination/fare isn't good) |
| Insurance | Free Accidental/Health Insurance for drivers | Limited or paid insurance schemes |
| Metro Integration | Yes (Book Metro tickets in-app) | No |
📝 Conclusion
Bharat Taxi is more than just an app; it is a movement towards a fairer gig economy in India. By removing the heavy commissions, it ensures that your driver earns a respectable livelihood, which in turn leads to better service for you as a rider. While it is currently rolling out in major hubs like Delhi-NCR and Gujarat, it is set to expand pan-India rapidly.
Next time you need a ride, try Bharat Taxi—where your ride helps the driver directly.
0 Comments