Pranav Birje | The News Bulletins
Mumbai | April 23, 2026 : In a significant step towards strengthening urban mobility and transforming driver livelihoods, Uttar Mumbai MP & Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, today launched the Bharat Taxi auto and cab driver onboarding programme and app in Mumbai. Aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote cooperative endeavours in the country, this initiative was launched by Union Minister of Home and Cooperation Amit Shah in February which transform auto & cab drivers into owners from tkose working on rent.The initiative, held at Kandivali West, brought together over 500 auto and cab drivers, transport union representatives, and cooperative bodies reflecting strong grassroots support for a driver-first mobility platforms.
From Drivers to Owners: A First-of-its-Kind Cooperative Model
Positioning Bharat Taxi as a transformative initiative, the Minister emphasized that the platform is perhaps the only mobility model of its kind globally, where drivers are not just service providers but equal stakeholders and owners.“This is your platform built for your benefit, with no commission cuts. The earnings you make should fully belong to you,” he said, underscoring the shift from ‘users to owners’ in the mobility ecosystem.⸻
Rapid Growth Since Launch
Highlighting early success, he noted that since its launch in February, the platform has scaled significantly from an initial base to over 25000 rides per day today, increasing steadily.“What started small has now become a growing movement but this is just the beginning,” he added.
Aiming Beyond Existing Platforms
The Minister expressed confidence that Bharat Taxi has the potential to emerge as a major national player, even surpassing platforms such as Uber and Rapido.While acknowledging existing partnerships, he pointed out a key distinction: “Most platforms operate on commissions and subscriptions. Our effort is to eliminate unnecessary deductions so that drivers retain maximum earnings.”“There has always been concern for the lakhs of drivers who work tirelessly every day. This initiative is designed to directly improve their lives,” he noted.
EV Transition: A Path to Higher Income
Placing strong emphasis on sustainability and cost savings, the Minister highlighted the economic benefits of shifting from CNG vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs).He explained that while CNG vehicles involve recurring fuel and maintenance costs due to internal combustion engines, EVs offer significantly lower running and maintenance expenses leading to higher net income for drivers.
Going forward, efforts will focus on:
* Facilitating affordable EV adoption
* Enabling bulk procurement for better pricing
* Supporting vehicle scrappage and replacement
* Expanding charging infrastructure across Uttar Mumbai“In a region with over one lakh autos and taxis, even a partial shift to EVs can create a massive income impact,” he said.
Welfare, Insurance & Financial Inclusion
The Minister announced that drivers joining Bharat Taxi will receive:* Insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh, including personal accident cover
* Access to affordable loans and financial assistance
* Accress to Shemes like Mudra LoansHe added that more welfare schemes are being planned, ensuring that drivers receive benefits equal to or greater than those available on other platforms.
A Service to Society
Recognizing the everyday contribution of drivers, he said,
“When a passenger reaches home safely, a worker reaches the office on time, or a student reaches school without delay you are serving society in a meaningful way.”Drawing a cultural analogy, he described drivers as modern-day “Saarthis,” guiding people safely much like Lord Krishna guided Arjuna.
Safety, Trust & Transparency
The Minister stressed the importance of:* Strict meter-based fares
* Prompt service and availability
* Police verification and background checks
* Emergency response systems and control room connectivityHe emphasized that maintaining trust and safety is critical to building a reliable national platform.
Scaling a National Movement
Calling for collective participation, he urged drivers to actively promote the platform and help build awareness among citizens.“With unity and effort, Bharat Taxi can become a trusted, reliable, and widely used mobility platform across India,” he said.⸻Platform Overview & Expansion
The newly launched driver application is designed to simplify onboarding, improve transparency, and enhance earning opportunities for ‘Saarthis’.Key indicators:* Saarthis onboarded: 5.17 lakh+
* Customers: 50 lakh+
* Presence: Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Lucknow, and now Mumbai“Mumbai is a high-potential market for us. The strong support from Kali Peeli taxi drivers reinforces our commitment to building an inclusive ecosystem,” said the COO of Bharat Taxi.The expansion aligns with the national vision to scale Bharat Taxi across major cities over the next three years.⸻
About Bharat Taxi
Bharat Taxi (Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited) is a multi-state cooperative society built on the principles of fair earnings, shared ownership, and dignified livelihoods.Supported by leading institutions such as NCDC, IFFCO, GCMMF (Amul), KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, and NCEL.Inspired by the vision of “Sahakar se Samriddhi,” Bharat Taxi aims to build a mobility ecosystem where drivers transition from service providers to stakeholders and ultimately, owners.