Why in the News?
India is launching Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-based national ride-hailing platform under Digital India, with NeGD partnering Sahakar Taxi Cooperative for technical and advisory support.
About the Bharat Taxi Initiative:
- Objective: To create a citizen-centric alternative to global ride-hailing corporations, ensuring fair wages, cooperative governance, and local ownership.
- Nature: A cooperative-owned, technology-driven national ride-hailing platform designed to provide affordable, secure, and transparent mobility solutions.
- Timeline: Expected by December 2025, targeting both urban and rural transport needs.
- Promoters: Supported by leading cooperative and financial institutions NCDC, IFFCO, AMUL, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, and NCEL.
Key Features:
- Cooperative Ownership Model: Operated and governed by driver cooperatives, ensuring profit-sharing, fair pricing, and collective decision-making.
- Digital Integration: Linked with national platforms such as DigiLocker, UMANG, and API Setu, allowing seamless identity verification, license validation, and service delivery.
- Inclusive Design: Provides multilingual UI, accessibility for differently-abled users, and equal participation for women drivers.
- Transparent Fare System: Uses open-source algorithms for real-time fare calculation to prevent overcharging or surge pricing manipulation.
- Integration with Digital Public Infrastructure: Aligned with Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker, facilitating digital payments and paperless onboarding.
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