Bharat Taxi: A Strong Competitor to Ola and Uber Soon

The central government is set to launch ‘Bharat Taxi’, a cooperative ride-hailing service aimed at providing stiff competition to market leaders Ola and Uber. Unlike existing platforms, Bharat Taxi will not charge commissions from drivers; instead, drivers will pay a nominal membership fee to access the service.

Currently, Ola and Uber reportedly charge drivers up to 25% commission per ride. Additionally, passengers often face higher fares during peak hours or ride cancellations. To address these issues, Bharat Taxi has been designed to benefit both drivers and passengers.

The service is a joint initiative of the Cooperation Department and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). A company named Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited has been established with an initial investment of ₹300 crore. Drivers can pay a daily or monthly membership fee instead of commission, ensuring that fare revenue goes entirely to them.

The pilot project will launch in Delhi in November with 650 cabs, followed by expansion to 20 cities including Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, and Jaipur in December. By March next year, the government plans to make Bharat Taxi available in all major cities, with a long-term target of connecting 1 lakh cab drivers nationwide by 2030.