Union Home Minister Amit Shah interacted with a group of drivers associated with Bharat Taxi in the national capital, responding to their concerns and explaining how the newly introduced ride-hailing service is meant to work in their favour. During the discussion, Shah underlined that the platform has been created with the primary goal of improving drivers’ livelihoods, not maximising corporate profits.

Bharat Taxi, which began operations on February 5, has been projected as the country’s first government-supported cooperative mobility service. Backed by institutions such as Amul, IFFCO and NABARD, the platform follows a model where drivers themselves hold ownership, a sharp contrast to existing app-based cab services dominated by private companies.

Shah told the drivers that a significant portion of the revenue generated through Bharat Taxi would directly benefit those behind the wheel. According to him, around 80 per cent of the earnings would be routed back to drivers, ensuring that their effort translates into real financial gain. He explained that the system has been designed to be simple and transparent, with no commission cuts and only a small membership fee. He also assured them that practices like surge pricing would not be part of the platform, and fares would remain clearly defined.

Referring to past experiences with private ride-hailing firms, Shah said drivers often saw a large share of their income diverted to company owners. Under the cooperative structure of Bharat Taxi, he stressed, drivers themselves are the stakeholders and beneficiaries. He pointed out that with a modest investment of Rs 500, drivers become part-owners of the platform, entitled not only to fare income but also to a share in overall profits.

Shah urged drivers to remain patient during the initial years as the service scales up and expands across states. He assured them that all financial records would remain open and accessible, and that the cooperative would function on principles of fairness and accountability. The broader vision, he said, is to build a system where those who do the work also enjoy long-term prosperity, without fear of exploitation.