Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday inaugurated the ‘Bharat Taxi’ service in Gandhinagar, saying the initiative marks a push towards a cooperative-based mobility ecosystem, positioning drivers as stakeholders in the system rather than independent gig workers
Speaking at the launch event, Shah said taxi services have now become an essential part of daily life of virtually every household in India.
“The need for taxi services has now reached every household. Taxi services have expanded on a massive scale. At the Kumbh Mela, I saw a motorcycle labelled ‘Taxi’ and asked why it was marked as such. Two-wheelers have now also become taxis. Rickshaws, which are the lifeline of mobility in Gujarat, have also been converted into taxis,” Shah said.
He contrasted traditional app-based ride services with the cooperative model being promoted under Bharat Taxi, emphasising the role and dignity of drivers.
“Various companies created apps; while they refer to the operators as ‘drivers,’ I call them ‘Saarthis’ (partners/charioteers)…that is the distinction between the two services. They exploited these partners and citizens for the sake of profit. They would charge commissions, delay payments, or arbitrarily cancel registrations without a hearing. Legislation is not always a 100% solution to every problem,’’ he said.
Then, the idea emerged that if a taxi service were introduced through the cooperative sector, this entire exploitative business model could be brought to an end. The ‘Saarthi’ is accorded respect and is not left at the mercy of an app for registration.
The 7 lakh people associated with Bharat Taxi are, in fact, its owners. This initiative brings security, respect, and the promise of prosperity,” he said.
Shah also said that the initiative had already undergone successful trial runs in several locations before its formal launch in Gujarat.