Bharat Taxi Cooperative Ride-Hailing Platform Launch
Bharat Taxi, India's first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL), has been officially launched. The platform operates as a Multi-State Cooperative Society registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, with its registered head office located in New Delhi. The objective is to provide a driver-centric and people-centric mobility alternative rather than replacing private app-based taxi aggregators, with drivers associated as members and stakeholders to promote their economic and social well-being while offering consumers safe, reliable, and affordable transportation services.
As of July 28, 2026, the platform has registered a total of 8.27 lakh drivers (Sarathis) across six states and union territories. The state-wise breakdown shows Delhi-NCR leads with 2,61,045 registrations (1,35,554 cabs, 37,850 autos, 87,641 bikes), followed by Gujarat with 1,04,163 registrations (32,192 cabs, 49,764 autos, 22,207 bikes), Maharashtra with 84,332 registrations (53,139 cabs, 23,329 autos, 7,864 bikes), Uttar Pradesh with 21,621 registrations (7,687 cabs, 6,181 autos, 7,753 bikes), Rajasthan with 20,599 registrations (7,749 cabs, 5,265 autos, 7,585 bikes), and Chandigarh with 10,695 registrations (7,810 cabs, 982 autos, 1,903 bikes).
The platform is supported by eight leading national cooperative institutions: NCDC, IFFCO, AMUL (GCMMF), KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, and NCEL, which provide institutional cooperation, outreach, and member mobilization support. No financial assistance, equity support, or government incentives have been provided for establishing or expanding the Bharat Taxi platform, which operates entirely under the cooperative framework.
Expansion to other cities and states will be undertaken by STCL based on operational requirements and necessary approvals, considering factors such as operational preparedness, availability of drivers, completion of statutory requirements, and coordination with state governments, cooperative institutions, and other stakeholders. The expansion strategy includes partnerships with airports, railway stations, metro systems, and other public transport facilities to facilitate seamless last-mile connectivity.
Passenger safety measures include verification of drivers and vehicles prior to onboarding, maintenance of trip records, SOS facility, and journey sharing capabilities with family members or trusted contacts. Institutional arrangements have been established with Police Departments in various states to strengthen passenger safety and facilitate emergency coordination. Customer data is stored in encrypted form in compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Fare determination follows a transparent framework developed after consulting State Transport Authorities, driver representatives, and other stakeholders, with revisions based on operational costs, local transport conditions, and stakeholder consultations. A structured grievance redressal mechanism has been established through a Call Centre, Customer Support Team, and Grievance Redressal Team to address concerns from both passengers and drivers.
The information was formally provided by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on August 4, 2026.