Bharat Taxi, a driver-owned mobility cooperative launched on 5 February by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, has expanded to more than 35 lakh users and over six lakh drivers across India, positioning itself as one of the country's largest cooperative-based transport platforms. The cooperative operates on a zero-commission model in which drivers are treated as stakeholders rather than gig workers.

How the Model Works

Under the cooperative structure, there are no intermediaries or corporate commission deductions. Drivers receive ride payments directly into their bank accounts, with 100 per cent of fare earnings reaching them without any cuts, according to the company. The platform was created to address long-standing grievances among drivers over heavy commission charges and volatile incomes under traditional aggregator systems.

According to the company, the model has delivered a 25 to 30 per cent increase in monthly income for affiliated drivers, while passengers are paying nearly 15 per cent less on average owing to stable and transparent pricing.

What Drivers and Leaders Are Saying

Bharat Taxi Chairman and Amul Managing Director Jayen Mehta described the initiative as an example of technology-driven cooperation. 'Bharat Taxi has turned the driver-owned model into a reality by ensuring that 100 per cent of ride earnings reach drivers directly without any deductions. Today, it has emerged as the world's largest mobility cooperative, increasing the self-respect of drivers while also setting a new global benchmark for the vision of 'Prosperity through Cooperation',' he said.

Driver Pravin Thakor said earlier aggregator models had become financially unsustainable. 'Working with other companies was no longer profitable. But after joining Bharat Taxi, we are getting better rates and responses. By associating with this model, any driver can earn well and secure the future of their family,' he said.

Another driver, Janak Barot, noted the fare differential: 'There is zero commission here and payments are made directly into our accounts; we feel like owners. Other companies charge Rs 30 per kilometre, whereas we are charging customers only Rs 17-18, which is beneficial for them as well. In the future, with the expansion of the organisation, we will also get the benefits of schemes like pension and insurance,' he said.

Gujarat at the Centre of Expansion

More than one lakh of the platform's drivers are based in Gujarat. After establishing operations in Ahmedabad and Surat, the cooperative is preparing to launch services in Vadodara as part of its next phase of growth. Ahmedabad Rickshaw Chalak Ekta Union President Ajay Kumar Gupta said drivers were drawn to the platform's cooperative structure and its simplified onboarding, which reportedly grants approval within 12 hours of document submission.

To deepen grassroots reach, Bharat Taxi is deploying a below-the-line (BTL) outreach strategy at high-footfall locations including IT parks, airports, and housing societies.

Safety, Technology, and Transit Integration

The platform has integrated its SOS system with Gujarat Police to provide emergency support for both passengers and drivers. It has also introduced dedicated route connectivity to pilgrimage destinations such as Somnath and Dwarka. More than 10,000 drivers have been trained in digital literacy, digital handling, and soft skills. Integrated transit partnerships with Metro services, GSRTC, and airport authorities are aimed at creating a more seamless public transport experience across the state.

With its cooperative model gaining traction and a Vadodara launch on the horizon, Bharat Taxi's next test will be whether it can sustain driver income gains and service quality as it scales beyond Gujarat into new markets.