India, Aug. 5 -- Bharat Taxi, country's first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL) has been gaining momentum.

What It Is

- Bharat Taxi is India's first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL).

- It's not meant to replace private aggregators like Ola or Uber, but to provide a driver-centric, people-centric alternative.

- Drivers (called Sarathis) are members and stakeholders, ensuring their economic and social welfare.

Scale & Reach (as of July 28, 2026)

- Total registered Sarathis: 8.27 lakh (827,000).

State breakdown:

- Delhi-NCR: 2,61,045

- Gujarat: 1,04,163

- Maharashtra: 84,332

- Uttar Pradesh: 21,621

- Rajasthan: 20,599

- Chandigarh: 10,695

Governance & Support

- Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.

- Supported by major cooperative institutions: NCDC, IFFCO, AMUL, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, NCEL.

- No financial assistance or equity support from the Government; it's fully cooperative-driven.

Features

- Passenger Safety: Driver & vehicle verification, SOS button, trip-sharing, coordination with police.

- Data Protection: Encrypted storage under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

- Fare Transparency: Determined with input from State Transport Authorities and driver representatives.

- Grievance Redressal: Call centre, customer support, and grievance team.

Expansion Strategy

- Rollout to new cities depends on operational readiness, driver availability, statutory approvals, and partnerships with airports, railways, and metro systems for......

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Travel Media.