For drivers, by drivers: How Bharat Taxi app hopes to be a game-changer, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative ride-hailing platform, launched by Union Minister Amit Shah on Thursday.
• The pilot project began in Delhi-NCR and Rajkot in late November-December 2025, later expanding to cities like Ahmedabad.
• The app aims to provide commission-free service for drivers and reasonable pricing for customers, challenging private players.
• Approximately 4 lakh drivers have joined the platform, completing over 10,000 rides daily, with plans for nationwide operation by 2029.

Detailed Insights:

• Bharat Taxi is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL), supported by entities like Amul and NABARD.
• Drivers can buy cooperative shares (minimum Rs 500 for five shares) and will eventually pay a minimal daily subscription fee (projected Rs 50 for taxis, Rs 18 for auto-rickshaws).
• The app is focusing on high-traffic areas like airports and railway stations, with Bharat Taxi taking over prepaid taxi booths at Delhi airport.
• Initial user experiences show some operational challenges, including software issues at booths and price increases compared to previous rates.
• The platform seeks to address the high commission rates (30-40%) charged by existing ride-hailing services like Uber and Rapido.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Cooperative Society: An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic and social needs.
• Ride-hailing Platform: A digital service that connects passengers with drivers via a mobile app.
• Commission: A fee paid to a service provider based on a percentage of the transaction value.