There is good news for commuters in Delhi as well as thousands of taxi drivers. The central government is set to launch Bharat Taxi, a new government-backed taxi service that aims to offer affordable travel for passengers and higher earnings for drivers. The service will be introduced in the national capital from January 1, 2026, under the Ministry of Cooperation.

The launch of Bharat Taxi is expected to provide a low-cost alternative to private cab aggregators such as Ola, Uber and Rapido, while also addressing long-standing concerns of drivers regarding high commission charges.

When and how can you book Bharat Taxi?

From January 1, passengers will be able to book rides by downloading the Bharat Taxi app on their smartphones. The government’s objective is to make urban transport more convenient, transparent and affordable, starting with major metro cities.

After Delhi, the service will also be launched in Rajkot, Gujarat, and is expected to expand to other cities across the country in the coming months.

Lower fares for passengers, higher income for drivers

Bharat Taxi has been designed to benefit both riders and drivers.

• Passengers will get cheaper ride options compared to private platforms

• Drivers will retain over 80 percent of their earnings

• Only around 20 percent will be used for operational costs and driver welfare

In contrast to private aggregators, which often take a large commission from drivers, Bharat Taxi aims to ensure that drivers receive a fair share of their income.

Strong response from drivers

The response from drivers has been encouraging. In Delhi alone, more than 56,000 drivers have already registered for the service.

Bharat Taxi will not be limited to cars. The platform will also offer:

• Auto-rickshaws

• Bike taxi services

Trial runs of the service have already been conducted in Delhi and Rajkot, with positive feedback.