Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched Bharat Taxi, India's first driver-owned ride-hailing platform, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on May 28, 2026 [2].

The initiative seeks to shift the power dynamic in the transport sector by replacing corporate-led app aggregators with a cooperative structure. By giving drivers direct ownership, the government aims to provide workers with greater financial security, and professional dignity.

Bharat Taxi is designed to operate as a cooperative, allowing drivers to own the platform they work for rather than paying high commissions to third-party companies. This model is intended to counter what officials said are exploitative practices by existing ride-hailing services [1], [3].

At the time of its launch, the service was introduced across 14 cities [1]. The government intends to expand these transport services across the entire state within a month [1].

The launch took place in Gandhinagar, where the focus remained on promoting a cooperative model that ensures drivers maintain control over their earnings, and working conditions [3]. The project is part of a broader effort to integrate technology with social security for the gig workforce in Gujarat.

By leveraging a cooperative framework, the state hopes to create a sustainable alternative to the traditional aggregator model. This approach aims to ensure that the value generated by the ride-hailing service remains with the drivers rather than external shareholders [1], [3].

“India's first driver-owned, cooperative-based ride-hailing platform”

The introduction of Bharat Taxi represents a state-led attempt to disrupt the gig economy's dominant corporate model. By institutionalizing a cooperative framework, the Indian government is testing whether driver-ownership can solve the chronic tension between ride-hailing platforms and their workforce, potentially setting a precedent for other labor sectors in the region.