Maharashtra has launched Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, at the Navi Mumbai International Airport, offering an alternative to private cab aggregators such as Ola and Uber. The service was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol.
Designed around a cooperative ownership model, Bharat Taxi aims to provide affordable rides for passengers while ensuring higher earnings and greater financial security for drivers.
How Bharat Taxi Is Different
Unlike traditional ride-hailing platforms, Bharat Taxi follows a zero-commission cooperative model.
Drivers, referred to as ‘Sarathis’, are not just service providers but also members and shareholders of the cooperative. Instead of paying hefty commissions to aggregators, they retain their earnings and are also eligible to receive dividends whenever the cooperative generates profits.
The platform supports car, auto-rickshaw and bike taxi services through a single mobile application.
No Surge Pricing Or Hidden Charges
One of the biggest highlights of Bharat Taxi is its transparent pricing structure.
The platform does away with surge pricing, which often leads to sharply increased fares during peak hours, festivals or bad weather. It also promises no hidden charges, with only a nominal service fee applicable.
According to the Maharashtra government, the fare structure is similar to Mumbai’s traditional black-and-yellow taxis, with a starting fare of ₹31 for the first 1.5 kilometres and ₹21 for every additional kilometre.
Drivers Become Owners
The cooperative model is designed to improve the financial well-being of drivers.
Instead of working as independent contractors for private aggregators, Bharat Taxi drivers become co-owners of the platform. Payments are credited directly to their bank accounts, and they receive a share of the cooperative’s profits through dividends.
According to the government, nearly 8 lakh drivers across India have already joined Bharat Taxi, and more than ₹77 crore has been transferred directly to drivers without commission deductions.
Creating Jobs Across Maharashtra
The first phase of the service has been launched from Navi Mumbai International Airport, with 600 taxis deployed initially. The government plans to expand the fleet to over 1,000 taxis in the near future.
An agreement with the Late D. B. Patil Cooperative Transport Society is also expected to create employment opportunities for around 3,000–4,000 local youth living near the airport.
Following the Mumbai launch, the service is expected to expand to Pune, Nagpur and other parts of Maharashtra.
A New Model For Urban Mobility
The Maharashtra government believes Bharat Taxi can redefine app-based transportation by combining digital technology with cooperative ownership.
By eliminating intermediary commissions, offering transparent fares and giving drivers a direct stake in the platform, the initiative aims to create a more balanced ecosystem that benefits both commuters and drivers while promoting employment and financial inclusion.
Summary
Maharashtra has launched Bharat Taxi at Navi Mumbai International Airport as a cooperative alternative to private ride-hailing platforms. The zero-commission service allows drivers to become shareholders, eliminates surge pricing and hidden charges, and starts with 600 taxis. The government plans to expand the platform across Maharashtra while creating thousands of new employment opportunities.
