Monday, August 4, 2025

Bharat: India’s New Cooperative Taxi App Set to Challenge Ola and Uber

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5 Key Takeaways

  • Eight major cooperatives have joined to launch the 'Bharat' taxi service to compete with Ola and Uber.
  • The initiative has Rs 300 crore authorised capital and is fully funded by the cooperatives, with no government stake.
  • 200 drivers from Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra are already onboard.
  • The service aims to offer better returns for drivers and provide affordable, safe rides for passengers.
  • A pan-India ride-hailing app is being developed, with a cooperative pricing model and expansion plans underway.

A New Taxi Service is Coming: ‘Bharat’ to Take on Ola and Uber

Big news for anyone who uses ride-hailing apps in India! A brand-new taxi service called ‘Bharat’ is set to launch by the end of this year, and it’s aiming to give big players like Ola and Uber some serious competition. But what makes Bharat different? It’s not run by a private company, but by a group of eight major cooperatives from across the country.

Who’s Behind Bharat?

The Bharat taxi service is being launched by the Multi-State Sahakari Taxi Cooperative Ltd, which was officially registered on June 6. This cooperative brings together eight well-known organizations, including the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), and the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), among others. These are big names in India’s cooperative sector, and they’re pooling their resources to make this new service a reality.

Why Start a New Taxi Service?

The main goal of Bharat is to create a fairer system for drivers and passengers. According to Rohit Gupta, Deputy Managing Director of NCDC, the idea is to ensure drivers get better earnings, while passengers enjoy safe, reliable, and affordable rides. Unlike Ola and Uber, which are private companies, Bharat is fully owned and funded by the cooperatives themselves—there’s no government money involved.

Where Will Bharat Operate?

Bharat is starting strong, with 200 drivers already signed up across four states: Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra (50 drivers in each state). The cooperative is also reaching out to other organizations to expand even further.

How Will It Work?

Bharat is currently looking for a technology partner to build its ride-hailing app, which is expected to be ready by December. The app will work across India, just like Ola and Uber. Experts from IIM-Bangalore are helping to design the marketing strategy, so you can expect to hear a lot more about Bharat soon.

What’s Different About Bharat?

One of the biggest differences is the cooperative pricing model. This means the service is designed to benefit both drivers and passengers, rather than just making profits for a company. Membership drives are already underway to get more drivers on board.

The Bottom Line

With Rs 300 crore in authorized capital and the backing of some of India’s biggest cooperatives, Bharat is gearing up to shake up the taxi market. If you’re looking for a new way to get around—and want to support a service that puts drivers and passengers first—keep an eye out for Bharat later this year!


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