New Delhi: The national capital is set to introduce its first-ever cooperative ride-hailing service, a move that will make the transportation more affordable and rush-free in the city. The plan is to provide an alternative option to drivers and pocket friendly rides to passengers.
The upcoming service will operate through a mobile app that will connect riders directly with drivers who are cooperative members. The main feature of this platform is that drivers will run the mobile app on their own, unlike private cab companies. This will help keep fares affordable for passengers and allow drivers to keep control over their income without paying any commission.
Cooperation Minister Ravinder Indraj said the initiative reflects the government’s effort to infuse new energy into Delhi’s cooperative movement. Cooperation Minister Ravinder Indraj said “the initiative reflects the government’s effort to infuse new energy into Delhi’s cooperative movement”, during an annual general meeting on Sunday.
Drivers keep full earnings
According to officials, this new model will eliminate the high commissions charged by the private cab companies from the drivers. To make this dream into a reality, The Registrar of Cooperative Societies has been allocated with the task to outline a detailed plan for this project.
“I’ve directed officials to study the project’s feasibility and design a framework so that Delhi can soon have its own cooperative-based taxi service,” Indraj told The Times of India on Monday. “The finer details are being worked out, but we’re hopeful of rolling it out soon,” he added.
Inspired by Maharashtra’s Sahkar Taxi Model
The plan takes cues from the Sahkar Taxi Cooperative being developed in Maharashtra and other states with support from the Union Ministry of Cooperation.
A few months ago, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also spoken about launching a similar cooperative taxi model across India. Key focus is to bring drivers of taxis, autos, and two-wheelers under one roof, which will eventually allow them to share profits equally while eliminating third-party involvement.