Maharashtra on Thursday introduced Bharat Taxi, a government-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform designed to provide an alternative to private cab aggregators. The service was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Navi Mumbai International Airport, marking the state’s entry into a new cooperative-driven mobility model that aims to benefit both passengers and drivers.
The initiative has been developed jointly by the Maharashtra Government and the Union Ministry of Cooperation. Unlike conventional app-based taxi services, Bharat Taxi follows a cooperative ownership structure, allowing drivers to become members and stakeholders while ensuring transparent fares and improved financial security.
Government Positions Bharat Taxi as Driver-Centric Alternative
Speaking at the launch, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of expanding India’s cooperative movement beyond agriculture and banking into modern digital services.
He noted that while app-based cab services have transformed urban transportation, many drivers continue to face challenges due to high commissions, platform fees and fluctuating pricing mechanisms.
“Whenever there is heavy rain, festivals or high demand, fares increase sharply, but the additional earnings rarely reach the drivers. Instead, the profits largely go to the aggregators,” Fadnavis said.
He explained that Bharat Taxi adopts a different model where drivers are not merely service providers but shareholders of the cooperative.
“Any profits generated are shared with the drivers through dividends. There is no surge pricing, no hidden charges and only a nominal service fee. It is a model created for the benefit of ordinary citizens and drivers alike,” he added.
Employment Opportunities Around Navi Mumbai Airport
The Chief Minister also highlighted the partnership with the Late D.B. Patil Cooperative Transport Society, saying the platform is expected to create employment opportunities for nearly 3,000 to 4,000 local youth residing around the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
According to the state government, the service is expected to provide safe, reliable and affordable transportation while maintaining high safety standards, particularly for women passengers.
Cooperative Ownership at the Core
Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the platform has been designed to reduce drivers’ dependence on private aggregators by making them cooperative members.
“The core idea is that the driver should become the owner. Payments are credited directly into drivers’ bank accounts, and every driver becomes a member of the cooperative, making them eligible to receive dividends whenever the cooperative earns profits,” Mohol said.
He revealed that nearly 8 lakh drivers have already enrolled with Bharat Taxi across India and the platform currently facilitates around 11,000 rides daily. According to him, more than ₹77 crore has already been transferred directly into drivers’ bank accounts.
Expansion Planned Across Maharashtra
After its rollout in Delhi and Gandhinagar, Maharashtra has become the latest state to adopt the platform. Officials said the service is expected to expand to Nagpur and Pune in the coming phase.
Mohol also highlighted the Centre’s broader push to strengthen the cooperative sector, stating that around 40,000 new cooperative societies have already been registered nationwide. He added that the government is investing nearly ₹3,000 crore in the computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to modernise grassroots cooperative institutions.
Focus on Financial Security and Transparent Fares
Principal Secretary of the Cooperation and Marketing Department, Praveen Darade, described Bharat Taxi as an important step in integrating technology with the cooperative movement.
According to officials, the platform operates on a zero-commission model, offers affordable membership for drivers and includes insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh. The project also receives institutional support from organisations including NCDC, IFFCO, NAFED, Amul, KRIBHCO, NDDB, NABARD and NCUI to facilitate its expansion across the country.
