Gandhinagar, Feb 6 (NationPress) The cooperative sector in India is experiencing a remarkable growth spurt with the launch of Bharat Taxi, the nation’s inaugural taxi service founded on a cooperative ownership model. This innovative service has successfully attracted over 50,000 drivers from Gujarat, as reported by officials on Friday.

The operations have commenced in Ahmedabad and Rajkot, in addition to Delhi, with plans for a phased nationwide rollout.

This initiative is being spearheaded under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, part of the Centre's efforts to bolster cooperative institutions across various sectors.

Bharat Taxi is designed to empower drivers as members and stakeholders of the cooperative, moving away from the traditional commission-based model.

During the official launch in New Delhi, Shah emphasized that the cooperative framework puts drivers at the core of ownership. “Sarathi hi malik hai,” he remarked, highlighting that this model allows drivers to maintain control over their income without facing commission or surge pricing.

He also mentioned that the service aims to expand its presence throughout the country in the next two to three years.

According to officials, the service operates through Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited, which is registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, and is supported by national cooperative institutions.

In the pilot phase, conducted in select areas of Gujarat and Delhi-NCR, the platform successfully registered a vast number of drivers and users, with thousands of trips completed daily.

This cooperative model allows drivers, referred to as Sarathis, the flexibility to work without exclusivity, enabling them to remain active on other platforms if they wish.

Officials stated that the system is crafted to guarantee transparent fares for passengers while providing a steady income for drivers.

Gujarat Government Spokesperson Jitu Vaghani remarked that this initiative exemplifies how cooperative principles can be effectively utilized in technology-driven services.

“This is a cooperative platform where both drivers and passengers gain from transparency and fairness,” he noted, referencing Gujarat’s rich history with cooperative enterprises.

Currently, Bharat Taxi facilitates bookings for cars, three-wheelers, and two-wheelers through its mobile application.

Moreover, the platform includes provisions for social security benefits, such as insurance coverage and support systems for registered drivers.

Officials anticipate that the nationwide expansion of Bharat Taxi will create new livelihood opportunities and further enhance the cooperative movement’s presence in emerging sectors of the economy.