Government-Backed ‘Bharat Taxi’ App Launched as New Alternative in Ride-Hailing Market

India has officially rolled out Bharat Taxi, a new ride-hailing application aimed at offering an alternative to established cab aggregators in the country. Designed around a cooperative ownership model, the platform seeks to provide fairer working conditions for drivers while offering affordable and transparent pricing for passengers.

Unlike conventional ride-hailing apps, Bharat Taxi is structured as a driver-owned cooperative, allowing drivers to act as stakeholders rather than commission-paying partners. One of the key promises of the platform is the absence of per-ride commissions, enabling drivers to retain a larger share of their earnings. The app also claims to eliminate surge pricing, a feature that has often been criticised by passengers during peak hours and high-demand periods.

The service is being introduced in phases, with operations initially available in select regions such as Delhi-NCR and parts of Gujarat. Authorities have indicated that the platform will gradually expand to cover major cities and towns across the country over the next few years. Bharat Taxi offers multiple ride options, including air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned cars, auto-rickshaws, bike taxis and larger vehicles for group travel. Additional services such as cab rentals and metro ticket booking are also expected to be integrated into the app.

Officials associated with the launch have highlighted safety and transparency as central pillars of the service. Drivers undergo verification processes, and the app includes features intended to enhance passenger security. The cooperative model is also being positioned as a way to address long-standing concerns among drivers related to income stability and rising operational costs in the gig economy.

The entry of Bharat Taxi has drawn attention across the mobility sector, especially as it challenges well-established private players. While some drivers have welcomed the initiative as a step towards greater financial control, others remain cautious, citing uncertainties around scale, demand generation and long-term sustainability. Industry observers see Bharat Taxi as an ambitious attempt to rebalance India’s ride-hailing ecosystem by prioritising driver welfare alongside consumer affordability.