Indian govt-backed 'Bharat Taxi' app set to launch in Delhi on Jan 1, 2026; drivers to get 80% of the fare

The Indian government-backed cab-hailing platform Bharat Taxi will be launched in Delhi from January 1, positioning itself as a driver-owned alternative to private aggregators such as Uber, Ola and Rapido.

Promoted by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the platform aims to address long-standing concerns around surge pricing, opaque fares and high commissions in the urban mobility market.

Bharat Taxi is designed around a cooperative model, under which drivers retain nearly 80% of their earnings, significantly higher than the payouts typically offered by commission-based platforms. rIn some cases, officials have said the entire fare paid by passengers will go directly to drivers, with any surplus generated by the cooperative shared among its members rather than retained by a private company. The model is intended to improve driver incomes, reduce financial stress linked to commissions, and give drivers a direct stake in the platform’s growth.

A key feature of the app is its fixed-fare structure. Unlike dynamic pricing models that raise fares during peak hours, bad weather or holidays, Bharat Taxi plans to offer predictable pricing, with no surge component. Fare details will be displayed upfront before booking, a move the government and cooperative say is aimed at improving transparency and helping commuters plan travel costs more effectively.

The platform will offer multiple transport options, including auto-rickshaws, cars and bike taxis. It will support bookings in multiple Indian languages and include real-time vehicle tracking, verified driver onboarding, passenger safety features and round-the-clock customer support.

Notably, around 56,000 drivers in Delhi have already registered on the platform. Within 10 days of enrolment opening, more than 51,000 drivers signed up across Delhi and Gujarat’s Saurashtra region

Beta trials for consumers began this week in Delhi, with the Bharat Taxi app now available on Google Play. Drivers have started activating live services during the trial phase, which is expected to help developers identify glitches and refine features ahead of a full rollout.