Bharat Taxi Launch Today: A Government-Backed Competitor to Uber and Ola
Bharat Taxi will officially go live today at 3 PM. This government-supported app aims to compete with private ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Ola. Below are the complete details.
The cab-hailing landscape in India is poised for a major transformation today as Bharat Taxi officially launches in New Delhi. Bharat Taxi is a cab service based on a cooperative model and is supported by the Indian government. The app will be launched by Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah.
On X (formerly Twitter), the official All India Radio account stated that Amit Shah will launch Bharat Taxi on February 5, 2026. The post said that the app will strengthen the cooperative sector and make rides more “citizen-centric.”
The Bharat Taxi app will be officially launched in the Delhi-NCR region at 3 PM today. It is expected to be available in other states and cities across the country soon.
What is Bharat Taxi?
Bharat Taxi is a ride-hailing app based on a cooperative model. According to the Ministry of Cooperation, this service will place drivers “at the center of ownership, operation, and value creation.” The government says this will help drivers avoid exploitation by private players.
However, note that Bharat Taxi is not a direct initiative of the Indian government. Instead, it is operated and managed by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited.
The cooperative has received support from individuals who previously worked at Amul, one of the world’s most successful cooperatives.
How does Bharat Taxi work?
Bharat Taxi’s model is unique. Each driver, or “Saarthi,” owns five shares in the cooperative, and unlike private aggregators, no commission is deducted from each fare. Instead, drivers pay a fixed daily fee of Rs 30 to access the app.
This approach aims to address drivers’ long-standing complaints about high commission rates and lack of agency on platforms like Uber and Ola.
Passengers can expect lower fares, with officials estimating that Bharat Taxi prices will be up to 30% cheaper than private competitors.
Traditional ride-hailing apps often deduct Rs 30-50 as commission per ride, but Bharat Taxi’s zero-commission model allows these savings to be passed on to passengers.
Bharat Taxi previously reported having over 400,000 registered drivers on its platform.
Bharat Taxi also incorporates existing safety features, including a dedicated helpline. In collaboration with the Delhi Police, 35 special booths have been set up to effectively address customer concerns and complaints.
All drivers undergo a verification process to enhance the security of passengers using the service.
Bharat Taxi Pilot Phase
The platform had a soft launch in December 2025 in Delhi and Gujarat, where it recorded an average of 5,500 rides daily, including 4,000 airport trips.
User experience has been central to Bharat Taxi’s recent updates. The app features various ride categories—including AC and non-AC cabs, XL cabs, auto rickshaws, and bike taxis—showcasing functionality and flexibility similar to that offered by established players. The app also now boasts a modern interface that resembles other ride-hailing services.
