New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Bharat Taxi on Thursday, aiming to empower drivers. It is a platform owned by a cooperative that enables drivers to operate as owners.
Bharat Taxi to eliminate surge pricing
Also, Bharat Taxi will eliminate surge pricing and ensure zero commission. Its objective is to compete with apps like Uber and Ola. According to the Cooperation Ministry, Bharat Taxi is a transformative initiative in the mobility sector, making ‘sarathis’ (divers in this case) the owners of operations and value creation. It will free them from exploitative aggregator-based models.
Amit Shah, during the launch event of the Bharat Taxi, said that the service will be immensely convenient for taxi drivers, saying that “sahkar (helper), not Sarkar (government)” is formally entering the taxi sector. He said, “In this system, every driver (Sarathi) is the owner of the taxi, and this structure will bring a revolutionary economic transformation. Like Amul in Gujarat, this is a unique cooperative model of its kind in the world. The wheels of your taxi will run for the benefit of the Sarathi community; this is the spirit of cooperation.”
Bharat Taxi to ensure women’s empowerment
Shah further revealed that Bharat Taxi is going to be a unified mobility platform offering two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers and its ‘Sarathi Didi’ will ensure the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women riders and drivers.
In three years, the taxi service will be rolled out. Out of the total revenue of the platform, 20 per cent will be charged by the government, and each Sarathi will get the rest. Shah said, “Until now, fares were first credited to the company’s account, and a commission was deducted. That system ends here. Bharat Taxi will charge zero commission. Not even one per cent. All payments will be transferred directly from the customer to Sarathi’s account, no middleman, no delays.”
Shah warns drivers of professionalism
There won’t be booking fees, heavy platform charges, or hidden commissions, making it more convenient for drivers and travellers. Drivers of the Bharat Taxi service will directly receive the profit. However, Shah also cautioned drivers to maintain professionalism with travellers.
Bharat Taxi will have health insurance, accident insurance, and retirement savings for the drivers, apart from a dedicated driver support system. There will be initiatives like “Bike Didi” to promote empowerment, and over 150 women drivers have joined Bharat Taxi under that so far.