Complaints from passengers and drivers about private cab services like Ola and Uber had become common in the country. Dirty cars, arbitrary fares, and ride cancellations had become a problem for passengers.
Now, to address these issues, the central government has launched the country’s first government-run cooperative cab service, “Bharat Taxi.” This new platform is expected to provide tough competition to private companies. The special thing is that drivers will not have to pay any commission, and all earnings will go directly into their accounts.
Pilot project starting soon
The BharatTaxi pilot project will begin in the capital, Delhi, in November, involving approximately 650 drivers and their vehicles. It will gradually expand to other cities across the country starting in December, with an estimated total of approximately 5,000 drivers joining the service.
How will Bharat-Taxi work?
BharatTaxi was developed jointly by the Union Government’s Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). It will be operated through Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited. It will be based on a cooperative model, not a private company, in which drivers will also be co-owners. A special council has been formed for its operation, with Amul MD Jayen Mehta as chairman.
How to use
Passengers can avail the service by installing the BharatTaxi app on their smartphones. Android users can download it from the Google Play Store, and iPhone users can download it from the Apple Store. The app will be available in Hindi, English, and Gujarati and Marathi.
Commission-free model and membership
Drivers will benefit the most from this service. They will receive the full earnings from each ride. Drivers will only pay a nominal daily, weekly, or monthly fee based on their membership plan.
Expansion across the country
In addition to Delhi, BharatTaxi will be available in approximately 20 cities by December, including Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, Lucknow, and Jaipur. The government’s goal is to provide passengers with reliable, safe, and affordable taxi service and to end the arbitrariness of private companies like Ola and Uber.
