Union minister Amit Shah will launch the country’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, ‘Bharat Taxi’, on Thursday. The move is seen as a significant milestone in strengthening the cooperative sector and promoting citizen-centric mobility solutions.According to the Ministry of Cooperation, the platform will operate on a “zero-commission” and “surge-free “pricing model, with direct distribution of profits to drivers. It said Bharat Taxi prioritises social security for ‘Sarathis’ (drivers) through health insurance, accident insurance, retirement savings, and a dedicated driver support system, adding that around 200 women drivers have already joined the service.Under the initiative, ‘Sarathis’ or drivers will be put at the centre of ownership, operations, and value creation, and thus freeing themselves from exploitative aggregator-based models.While the service is backed by the Centre, Bharat Taxi is not a direct government-run platform. It is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, a driver-owned cooperative that has drawn leadership support from professionals associated with NABARD and Amul, widely regarded as one of the world’s most successful cooperative models.“Under the model, each driver holds five shares in the cooperative. Unlike private aggregators, no commission is deducted per ride. Instead, drivers pay a fixed daily app access fee of Rs 30, a structure aimed at addressing long-standing complaints around high commissions and limited control on platforms such as Ola and Uber,” an official said.Reports claim Bharat Taxi’s fares could be up to 30 per cent cheaper than private competitors, as savings from the zero-commission model are passed on to passengers. Traditional ride-hailing apps typically deduct Rs 30-50 per ride as commission. Bharat Taxi has said it already has over 4 lakh registered drivers on its platform.The app also incorporates safety features, including a dedicated helpline. In collaboration with the Delhi Police, 35 special booths have been set up to handle customer complaints and concerns. All drivers undergo a verification process as part of the onboarding.It also features various ride categories of AC and non-AC cabs, XL cabs, autos, and bike taxis, mirroring the functionality and flexibility offered by established players.The platform had its soft launch last year in Delhi and Gujarat, where it recorded an average of 5,500 rides daily, including 4,000 airport trips.