Archive · 23 Aug 2025
India Launches Cooperative Taxi Service to Empower Drivers
Imagine a new taxi service in India called "Bharat" where the drivers are also the owners.
Instead of just being employees, they get to vote on how things are run and share in the profits.
This is a cooperative, backed by big Indian groups.
It's different from apps like Uber, where drivers often face low pay and don't have much say.
The new service wants to give drivers more money, more control, and treat them with respect.
This idea might even spread to other countries, showing how businesses can be run fairly for everyone, not just the company owners.
A new taxi service called "Bharat" is launching in India, backed by cooperatives and designed to empower drivers.
The service is backed by multiple Indian cooperative institutions with a committed investment of US$9 million.
Unlike traditional ride-hailing apps, drivers will be co-owners with voting rights and a share in the profits.
The cooperative model aims to provide drivers with more financial stability and dignity compared to traditional platforms.
The initiative aligns with India's goals of expanding enterprise ownership and is seen as a potential global model.
- Who
- The service is backed by multiple Indian cooperative institutions, and drivers will be co-owners.
- What
- A new taxi service, "Bharat", is launching in India, using a cooperative model where drivers are co-owners.
- When
- The article discusses a new initiative, without a specific launch date.
- Where
- The service will operate in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- To empower drivers, provide more financial stability, and offer them a voice in how the business is run, in contrast to traditional ride-hailing apps.
Traditional Ride-Hailing Model
New Cooperative Model
Ownership
Traditional Ride-Hailing Model
Drivers are service providers, not co-owners.
New Cooperative Model
Drivers are co-owners with voting rights.
Financial Stability
Traditional Ride-Hailing Model
Drivers often face rising commissions and earnings uncertainty.
New Cooperative Model
Cooperative model aims for more financial stability through potentially lower commissions.
Governance
Traditional Ride-Hailing Model
Decisions are made algorithmically and without driver consultation.
New Cooperative Model
Key decisions made transparently and collectively.
- Service Name
- "Bharat"
- Backers
- Multiple Indian Cooperative Institutions
- Investment
- US$9 million
- Operational Area
- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh
- Driver Onboarding
- 200 drivers
- Legal Framework
- Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002