Bharat Taxi to Expand to Lucknow and Chandigarh, Eyes Tier-II Growth with Subscription Model

Government-backed ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi is set to widen its footprint beyond its existing markets, with plans to enter new cities as part of its broader expansion strategy focused on regional growth, as per The Business Standard report. 

Expansion Plans and Current Presence 

Bharat Taxi, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd (STCL), will begin services in Lucknow and Chandigarh by the end of the month. According to Vice Chairperson Rohit Gupta, the company is scaling operations steadily and will deepen its presence as opportunities evolve.  

He said the platform is expanding into these cities and will increase its reach “as and when things materialise.” 

Following this rollout, the company is expected to expand into nearby regions such as Panchkula and Mohali, while also targeting further growth in Uttar Pradesh with cities like Kanpur under consideration. 

Currently, Bharat Taxi operates across multiple locations in the National Capital Region, including Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad. In Gujarat, its services are available in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Somnath, and Dwarka. 

In a broader policy context, Union Minister Amit Shah stated that Bharat Taxi aims to expand in a phased manner across Tier-II and Tier-III cities, with a long-term goal of offering services up to the tehsil level over the next 3 years. 

Business Model, Scale and Market Positioning 

The platform has built early traction with around 2.6 lakh registered drivers, referred to as “Sarathis,” and completes approximately 30,000 rides daily across NCR and Gujarat. As of March 1, it had 21.34 lakh registered users.

Unlike traditional ride-hailing models that rely on per-ride commissions, Bharat Taxi has adopted a subscription-based approach for drivers.  

Daily subscription charges vary depending on vehicle categories such as bikes, autos and cabs, making driver subscriptions the primary source of revenue. The company is also working with the Delhi Police to enhance driver training and strengthen user trust. 

Launched in February after a pilot phase that began in December 2025, the platform operates under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002. Its cooperative structure allows drivers to become stakeholders, participate in management decisions, and share in profits. 

To remain competitive, Bharat Taxi has adjusted its pricing strategy. Initially positioned at higher price points, the platform has reduced fares to attract more users. Gupta noted that the company has “tried to reduce prices” to expand its customer base. 

Competition and Industry Context 

The ride-hailing segment remains competitive, with players such as Rapido and Uber maintaining strong activity levels.  

Rapido recorded more than three crore rides in NCR in the previous month, while NCR continues to be among the top five markets for both Rapido and Uber in terms of ride volumes. 

Against this backdrop, Bharat Taxi is positioning itself as a low-cost alternative, focusing on affordability and greater driver participation to differentiate its offering. 

Read More: Vingroup Strikes $6.5 Billion MoU with Maharashtra for Massive EV and Township Project! 

Conclusion 

With planned expansion into new cities, a cooperative ownership model and a subscription-based revenue approach, Bharat Taxi is positioning itself to scale across emerging urban markets while competing on cost and accessibility. 

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