Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday outlined an ambitious cooperative vision for the country’s taxi sector, positioning “Bharat Taxi” as a driver-owned platform aimed at ensuring dignity, profit-sharing and transparency for cab operators.
Interacting with the ‘Sarathis’ of Bharat Taxi in New Delhi, HM Shah said the initiative is designed to ensure that “those who labour should also share in the profits,” stressing that drivers are the real owners of the enterprise.
Describing Bharat Taxi as more than just a mobility service, HM Shah said it is a cooperative movement intended to transform drivers into respected stakeholders. “The ‘Sarathi’ is the real owner,” he said, adding that drivers will have a direct share in profits and representation in the company’s governance.
Under the proposed structure, any Sarathi can become a partner by purchasing shares worth ₹500. Certain seats on the Board of Directors will be reserved for Sarathi representatives, enabling them to safeguard the interests of fellow drivers.
HM Shah said that 80% of earnings will be credited directly to Sarathis based on the kilometres driven, while 20% will be retained as capital for the cooperative. After the first three years of expansion, profits generated will continue to follow an 80:20 distribution model in favour of the drivers.
“The aim is not to earn large profits like private companies, but to strengthen our driver brothers and sisters,” he said.
The Union Minister announced that Bharat Taxi plans to expand to every municipal corporation in the country within the next three years. The initiative has been formed by bringing together five major cooperatives, and will offer financial assistance by mortgaging taxis and facilitating loans through cooperative banks.
He added that the cooperative will establish a baseline kilometre rate to ensure drivers’ minimum viability, factoring in vehicle cost, fuel consumption and a reasonable profit margin. The service will not operate below this threshold.
HM Shah said Bharat Taxi aims to become “the world’s most transparent cab service” by providing all operational and financial information to Sarathis through app-based notifications. A dedicated grievance window will allow drivers to log complaints via mobile login, enabling policy revisions based on their feedback.
He also suggested that the emergence of Bharat Taxi has already compelled private taxi operators to reduce commissions and offer discounts, though he argued that such measures are aimed at retaining market share rather than improving driver welfare.
A key feature of the initiative is the introduction of the ‘Sarathi Didi’ facility, aimed at empowering women drivers and enhancing safety for women passengers. Under this system, solo female passengers will be given priority access to women drivers through the Bharat Taxi app.
HM Shah urged drivers to take pride in their profession and identify themselves as ‘Sarathis’ rather than drivers, calling the term a symbol of dignity and self-respect.
“The objective of Bharat Taxi is both the welfare of the Sarathi and the satisfaction of the customer,” he said, adding that continuous dialogue with drivers would remain central to the platform’s functioning.
