Maharashtra has launched Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-based ride-hailing platform aimed at providing an alternative to existing app-based taxi aggregators. The service was inaugurated at the Navi Mumbai International Airport in the presence of Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol and representatives from the cooperative sector.
The launch follows the platform's rollout in Delhi and Gujarat and is part of the Centre's broader effort to expand the cooperative model into emerging sectors. Bharat Taxi seeks to address concerns around surge pricing, high commissions, and driver earnings while offering passengers transparent fares.
Unlike traditional ride-hailing platforms, Bharat Taxi will function as a cooperative where drivers, referred to as "Sarathis," will also be shareholders in the organisation. The model is designed to ensure that drivers benefit directly from the platform's growth through profit-sharing.
The platform is going to eliminate surge pricing and hidden charges. Instead, it will charge a fixed service fee, making fares more predictable for commuters while helping drivers retain a larger share of their earnings.
The Maharashtra government also announced an agreement with the D B Patil Cooperative Transport Association to support local employment. Under the initiative, around 3,000 to 4,000 youth living near the Navi Mumbai International Airport are expected to receive taxis through credit facilities, enabling them to join the platform.
Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol said the initiative represents a significant step in strengthening Maharashtra's cooperative movement. He added that Bharat Taxi would create employment and self-employment opportunities for youth and women while making drivers active partners in the platform's success.
According to the government, Bharat Taxi aims to replace the intermediary-driven ride-hailing model with a cooperative framework that offers transparent pricing, stable driver incomes, and shared ownership. During the launch event, drivers associated with the platform received share certificates and service kits.
The government plans to expand Bharat Taxi across Maharashtra in phases by onboarding more taxi drivers, women, youth, and local transport organisations through cooperative institutions.
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With its cooperative ownership model, fixed pricing structure, and focus on driver welfare, Bharat Taxi represents a new approach to ride-hailing services in Maharashtra. As the platform expands across the state, its success will depend on its ability to attract both drivers and commuters while competing with established app-based taxi aggregators.
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Published on: Jul 24, 2026, 1:51 PM IST
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