Government-backed cab-hailing platform, Bharat Taxi, is seeing rapid early adoption across India, just days after its launch. The app is being promoted as a cooperative-based alternative to existing ride-hailing services in the country.
According to information shared by the Ministry of Cooperation, Bharat Taxi has been adding nearly 40,000 to 45,000 new users every day over the past two days. The platform has already crossed four lakh registered users, indicating strong initial interest.
The ministry stated on social media platform X that the current phase reflects early momentum ahead of a wider national rollout. The initiative is aligned with the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” vision, led by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
Bharat Taxi App
Bharat Taxi has been launched as a cooperative-driven model, positioning itself as a driver-friendly and transparent alternative to established cab aggregators. The app is supported by the Ministry of Cooperation and aims to strengthen participation from driver communities.
In terms of app store performance, Bharat Taxi is currently ranked ninth on the Google Play Store and thirteenth on Apple’s App Store. The separate driver-focused application is ranked around twentieth on the Play Store, reflecting growing interest from drivers as well.
The app is available on both Android and iOS platforms. Early usage suggests that Bharat Taxi is beginning to find space in India’s crowded ride-hailing market, which is dominated by private players such as Ola and Uber.
Features and Safety Focus
From a user perspective, the app offers a simple and clean interface. Booking a city ride is straightforward, and the platform also provides additional services such as metro ticket bookings and long-duration cab rentals of up to 12 hours.
Safety has been positioned as a key feature of the platform. The app highlights police-verified drivers and includes in-app options to call the police, alert emergency contacts, reach a safety team, and activate a siren during emergencies.
While many of these safety tools are similar to those offered by existing platforms, their effectiveness will be better understood as the app scales and real-world usage increases across more cities.
Pricing and User Experience
Early user feedback indicates that fares on Bharat Taxi are not always lower than those offered by established players. In some cases, pricing inconsistencies have been observed, such as similar fares for AC and non-AC cabs.
These issues suggest that the platform is still being refined. The overall experience currently reflects an early-stage product that is undergoing adjustments based on usage and feedback.
The sign-up process is quick, requiring only basic details such as a mobile number, name, and email address. While onboarding is smooth, some users feel the app experience still has room for improvement.
Driver-First Model Plans
A central promise of Bharat Taxi is its driver-first approach. The platform has stated that it does not charge any commission from drivers at present, allowing them to retain the full fare paid by passengers.
This approach is expected to appeal to drivers who have raised concerns about commissions and earnings on existing platforms. The cooperative structure is intended to give drivers a stronger stake in the ecosystem.
The platform has also announced plans to develop dedicated pickup and drop zones at airports, similar to existing arrangements used by other cab aggregators. Expansion to railway stations and other transport hubs is expected in later phases as the service scales nationwide.
