This ranges from cooperatives trying to enter into the ride-hailing space by introducing Bharat Taxi, which will challenge big names like Ola and Uber.
The launch is set for December 2025, with several leading cooperatives at the helm regarding the formation of the initiative, i.e., National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), IFFCO, Amul (GCMMF), KRIBHCO, NABARD, NDDB, NAFED, and NCEL.
Multi-State Sahakari Taxi Cooperative Ltd. has been granted its registration. With an authorized capital of Rs. 300 crore, it is emerging as a colossal new entrant into India's digital taxi commercial space.
Bharat Taxi is a cooperative-funded, private-led platform with no government equity. It is proposed to operate on a cooperative basis, with drivers as members and co-owners.
This would allow drivers better earnings and social security benefits, and compel greater fare structure transparency. It would further instill customer confidence by refraining from the practice of surge pricing that existing platforms have been accused of.
The cooperative has already enrolled over 200 drivers in four preparatory states: Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
The first phase will focus on these states, followed by other states in a phased manner. It is intended to have about 400-500 drivers during launch, with an aggressive expansion plan through cooperative networks and state-level partnerships.
A tender has been floated for the ride-hailing app, with the final selection expected any day now. The app is being co-designed with tech consultants and will receive academic support from IIM-Bangalore.
Full operations are expected by December 2025. The focus is on developing a sturdy, scalable, and easy-to-use platform that efficiently assists drivers and riders..
According to the statement of the deputy managing director, Rohit Gupta, Bharat Taxi is not just about competing with existing services but also about providing a fairer ecosystem for drivers and a more ethical service model for passengers.
Globally, with its cooperative background, social justice, and digital innovation, Bharat Taxi could become a significant alternative in India's competitive ride-hailing market.