Amit Shah, Gujarat Leaders Ride Bharat Taxi After Launch, Highlight Cooperative Mobility Model

Gandhinagar, June 2026 : Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday took a symbolic ride in the newly launched Bharat Taxi service shortly after inaugurating the cooperative ride-hailing platform in Gujarat, underlining the government’s push to expand the cooperative movement into the country’s transport and mobility sector.

The three leaders travelled from Mahatma Mandir to the Circuit House in Gandhinagar in a Bharat Taxi vehicle following the formal launch of the service. The journey was intended to demonstrate confidence in the platform, which has been designed as a cooperative alternative to conventional app-based taxi services by making drivers shareholders rather than commission-based operators.

The driver who ferried the dignitaries described the experience as a memorable milestone in his life and expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly improve the livelihoods of taxi operators across the state.

“It feels wonderful. The Bharat Taxi app is excellent, and all of us drivers are going to benefit from this initiative,” he said after completing the ride.

Sharing his interaction with the leaders, the driver said Amit Shah, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi asked him about his name and how long he had been associated with the Bharat Taxi service.

“I never imagined something like this would happen. It is an unforgettable moment for me. I feel my fortune has changed,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Amit Shah officially launched Bharat Taxi and described it as a landmark initiative that would transform the ride-hailing sector by placing ownership directly in the hands of drivers.

Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister said the platform had been created to eliminate the exploitation often faced by both drivers and passengers under traditional app-based services. Under the cooperative model, drivers, referred to as “Sarathis,” become members as well as shareholders, enabling them to participate in the platform’s long-term growth rather than functioning merely as service providers.

Shah also announced that Bharat Taxi had commenced operations across Gujarat’s major cities in three categories—two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws and four-wheelers. He said the organisation plans an ambitious nationwide expansion, targeting operations in more than 500 cities and towns over the next two years.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the initiative marked a significant shift in the transport sector by ensuring that drivers receive a share in the enterprise’s success.

“For years, taxi drivers have provided essential services but have not shared in the profits earned by ride-hailing companies. Bharat Taxi seeks to change that by making drivers stakeholders through the cooperative model,” Patel said.

According to organisers, the platform has already enrolled around seven lakh driver-members across the country and has registered more than 37 lakh customers.

In Gujarat, Bharat Taxi services have been launched in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Anand, Bhavnagar, Amreli, Mehsana, Jamnagar and Valsad, with further expansion planned in the coming months.

The launch event also witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with several major organisations, including Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation, Gujarat State Cooperative Bank, Adani Airport Holdings, the Airports Authority of India, the Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Gujarat Police.

Officials said these partnerships aim to strengthen Bharat Taxi’s integration with transport infrastructure and public services, while enhancing commuter convenience and expanding the cooperative mobility network across the state.