Ahmedabad: The ambitious ride-hailing service, Bharat Taxi, has begun its soft launch in Delhi and Gujarat, marking a significant step in India’s urban mobility landscape. Operated by the Sahkar Taxi Cooperative, billed as the world’s first national mobility cooperative owned entirely by drivers, the service has started beta consumer trials targeting both taxis and two-wheelers.

The cooperative model, already registering over 51,000 drivers across New Delhi and Saurashtra, positions Bharat Taxi as the world’s largest driver-owned mobility platform at the beta stage. The initiative aims to take on established players such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido while offering drivers a transparent, commission-free model. Driver-members will receive the full fare paid by customers, have representation on the cooperative’s board, earn annual dividends on their shares, and enjoy a share in profits.

The Bharat Taxi mobile app is currently available on the Google Play Store for early trials and feedback, with the iOS version expected soon. A key feature of the platform is its integration with public transit, including Delhi Metro, allowing users to plan multi-modal journeys seamlessly on a single interface—a model that could be adapted to Gujarat’s urban transport networks in the future.

Safety has been a central focus of the trial, with the cooperative partnering with Delhi Police to protect both riders and drivers. The cooperative, formally registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act with an authorised share capital of Rs 300 crore, aims to expand cooperative-run mobility services across India.