A new challenger is set to disrupt India's ride-hailing market, promising a fairer deal for drivers. Bharat Taxi, a driver-owned cooperative service, will officially launch its operations in the national capital starting January 1.
A Cooperative Model Challenging Giants
Promoted by the Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, Bharat Taxi positions itself as a direct competitor to established platforms like Uber, Ola, and Rapido. Its fundamental difference lies in its ownership structure. Unlike commission-based aggregators, Bharat Taxi operates as a cooperative where the drivers themselves are the owners.
This model translates into a significant financial benefit for drivers. They are expected to retain nearly 80% of their earnings, a stark contrast to the substantial commissions taken by other apps. The platform's chairman, Jayen Mehta, emphasized that the core strength is its zero-commission structure, ensuring the entire fare paid by passengers goes directly to the driver.
Record Growth and Impressive Scale
Even before its full-scale national rollout, Bharat Taxi has achieved a remarkable milestone. It has become the world's largest driver-owned mobility collective. The cooperative witnessed an overwhelming response during its initial enrollment drive.
Within just 10 days, it signed up over 51,000 drivers across Delhi and the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. This phenomenal growth has allowed it to surpass the New York-based The Driver's Cooperative, which has gathered around 4,000 members since its 2020 inception.
Currently, the platform boasts approximately 56,000 registered drivers ready to offer a range of services including auto-rickshaws, cars, and bike taxis.
Beta Testing and Future Rollout
The service has entered a crucial testing phase for consumers in Delhi. Beta trials began on a Tuesday, allowing riders to download the Bharat Taxi app from Google Play and test its features. Simultaneously, drivers are activating live services on their end.
This trial period is designed to help developers identify any technical glitches and refine the app's user experience before the official January 1 launch. The company has also indicated that an iOS version of the application is expected to be released soon.
The launch of Bharat Taxi represents a significant shift in the gig economy landscape of India. By empowering drivers with ownership and a larger share of revenue, it aims to address long-standing grievances related to earnings and autonomy in the ride-hailing sector. Its success could redefine the relationship between platforms and service providers in the urban mobility space.
