New Delhi, February 2026 —In a bold move to disrupt the private ride-hailing market, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has officially launched Bharat Taxi, a home-grown, cooperative-based platform designed to empower drivers and end the “commission-heavy” era of private aggregators. Unlike market leaders like Uber and Ola, Bharat Taxi operates on a zero-commission, driver-owned model, positioning the drivers themselves as the true owners of the business.
The platform, operated by the Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited, aims to provide a fairer alternative for both service providers and commuters while challenging the dominance of multi-national giants.
“You Are the Owner”: The ₹500 Investment Model
The Home Minister urged taxi and auto drivers to take a stake in their own future by investing a nominal amount of ₹500 into the cooperative. Shah detailed a profit-sharing structure designed to build long-term wealth for the driver community rather than corporate shareholders:
- The 3-Year Growth Phase: After an initial three-year “gestation period” to allow the startup to mature, profits will be distributed back to the drivers.
- Profit Distribution: Of the total profit earned, 20% will be reinvested into the cooperative as capital in the drivers’ names, while the remaining 80% will be distributed directly to drivers based on the total kilometers they have clocked.
- Beyond Fixed Fares: Shah emphasized that drivers should not just settle for a fixed fare but should rightfully share in the platform’s success as “Maliks” (owners).
A Tech-Forward, Zero-Commission Platform
Bharat Taxi is available on both Android and iOS, offering a transparent fare structure for cars, autos, and two-wheelers. Key features of the platform include:
- Higher Earnings: Drivers are promised up to 80% of the fare, paid through a monthly credit system, eliminating the high commission cuts that typically plague private apps.
- Safety and Reliability: The app features verified driver onboarding, real-time tracking, and integration with Delhi Police, alongside a dedicated provision for female drivers to enhance passenger security.
- Solving Commuter Pain Points: By removing the pressure of high commissions, officials aim to curb surge pricing, reduce ride refusals, and address the frequent cancellations that frustrate daily commuters.
Market Traction and Rollout
According to government sources, over 56,000 drivers have already registered on the platform. While the app currently supports advanced bookings, airport transfers, and outstation rides, instant on-demand booking is expected to be added closer to the full-scale launch.
Bottom Line
Bharat Taxi represents a fundamental shift in the gig economy—from private capital dominance to a cooperative model. By turning drivers into shareholders for just ₹500, the government is betting that “ownership” is the best solution to the friction between tech platforms and the workforce. As Amit Shah noted, the goal is simple: to make the worker the “Dhanni” (owner) of the trade.
