People in Mumbai and Pune who frequently use Ola or Uber often face higher fares during peak hours, festivals and heavy rainfall.
At the same time, many drivers have raised concerns about the high commissions charged by private ride-hailing platforms.
To offer an alternative, the Maharashtra government has launched Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-based ride-booking service that aims to provide affordable rides for passengers while giving drivers a larger share of their earnings.
The app was officially launched by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
How Does the Bharat Taxi App Work?
Bharat Taxi works in a similar way to other cab booking apps.
Passengers can download the app, register using their mobile number and enter their pickup and drop locations. They can choose from different travel options, including:
Car taxis
Auto-rickshaws
Bike taxis
Before confirming the ride, users will be able to see the estimated fare on the app. Once a driver accepts the booking, passengers can track the vehicle and complete the entire journey through the platform.
According to the government, the platform focuses on providing safe, transparent and reasonably priced transportation.
Bharat Taxi Fare Structure: ₹31 for First 1.5 Km
The fare system of Bharat Taxi will follow the pricing pattern of Mumbai’s famous black-and-yellow taxis.
The charges have been fixed at:
₹31 for the first 1.5 kilometres
₹21 per kilometre after that
This fixed fare structure is expected to help passengers avoid sudden price increases during busy periods.
600 Taxis Started in First Phase
The Bharat Taxi service has initially started with 600 taxis.
The Maharashtra government plans to increase the fleet to more than 1,000 taxis in the coming months.
After strengthening the service in Mumbai, the platform will gradually expand to other cities across the state.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the initiative could also create employment opportunities, especially for local youth and families affected by development projects around the Navi Mumbai International Airport area.
Service to Expand to Pune and Nagpur Soon
After Mumbai, Bharat Taxi will soon be introduced in Pune and Nagpur, according to Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol.
The government plans to expand the cooperative ride-hailing service to more cities in Maharashtra over time.
Mohol also said that around 8 lakh drivers across India have already joined the cooperative platform.
According to him, approximately ₹77 crore has been directly transferred to drivers’ bank accounts without commission deductions.
With lower fares for passengers and reduced commission pressure for drivers, Bharat Taxi aims to create a new model in India’s ride-hailing sector.
