Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, July 23, launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, at the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The initiative, introduced jointly by the Maharashtra Government and the Union Ministry of Cooperation, aims to provide affordable, transparent and driver-centric mobility services while strengthening urban transport.
The mobile application will offer bike taxis, auto-rickshaws and four-wheeler cabs under a cooperative ownership model. Unlike conventional ride-hailing platforms, Bharat Taxi allows drivers to become members and stakeholders in the cooperative, enabling them to earn a share of the platform’s profits in addition to their regular income.
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Speaking at the launch, Fadnavis described Bharat Taxi as a major step towards creating employment through the cooperative sector while offering commuters a reliable and cost-effective transport option.
He said the platform is designed to eliminate many of the issues associated with app-based taxi aggregators, including high commission charges for drivers and surge pricing for passengers during peak hours, festivals, heavy rainfall or traffic congestion.
According to the Chief Minister, Bharat Taxi will follow a transparent fare structure without hidden charges, ensuring fair earnings for drivers and affordable fares for commuters.
The service will initially operate with cars, auto-rickshaws and bike taxis, charging ₹31 for the first 1.5 kilometres and ₹21 for every additional kilometre, following a pricing model similar to Mumbai’s iconic black-and-yellow taxis.
During the event, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Sahakar Taxi Co-operative Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve first- and last-mile connectivity across Mumbai.
The agreement was exchanged by Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), BMC, and Colonel Himanshu Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Sahakar Taxi Co-operative Limited.
Under the partnership, the civic body and the cooperative will work together on transport planning and the use of civic spaces to provide seamless connectivity between Metro stations, railway stations, bus terminals and commuters’ final destinations. The initiative is intended to complement Mumbai’s public transport network rather than replace it.
Bharat Taxi has ambitious national expansion plans. According to the Ministry of Cooperation, the platform aims to extend its services to more than 500 cities and towns across India within the next two years.
The model has already begun integrating with urban transport systems in other cities. In June, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation signed a similar agreement with Sahakar Taxi Co-operative Limited to strengthen first- and last-mile connectivity through its Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform.
Highlighting the benefits of the cooperative model, Fadnavis said drivers will not merely operate vehicles but will also become co-owners of the organisation, allowing them to directly share in the profits generated by the business.
He added that the initiative aligns with the Centre’s vision of strengthening the cooperative sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
The Chief Minister also announced that a separate MoU with the Late D.B. Patil Cooperative Transport Association will enable local landowners and residents around the Navi Mumbai International Airport to access bank loans for purchasing taxis. The project is expected to generate 3,000 to 4,000 employment opportunities while improving safe and reliable transport services, particularly for women passengers.
Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said Bharat Taxi is transforming drivers from employees into cooperative members and co-owners, allowing them to receive dividends from the organisation’s profits.
He revealed that nearly eight lakh drivers from across India have already joined the cooperative, and ₹77 crore has been transferred directly to their bank accounts without commission deductions.
Mohol said the initiative demonstrates how the cooperative model can improve drivers’ livelihoods while providing passengers with transparent, affordable and dependable transportation.