Bharat Taxi formally rolls into Chandigarh as pvt cab apps remain suspended

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria digitally inaugurates cooperative platform offering zero commission for drivers and no surge pricing for passengers

Chandigarh, September 19

The Bharat Taxi Service was launched in Chandigarh on Friday, with Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria digitally inaugurating the service in the city. The Centre-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform was introduced to provide commuters with another ride-booking option while giving drivers a direct stake in the service.

The service, an initiative of the Union Ministry of Cooperation, was introduced under a cooperative model in which drivers became stakeholders in the platform instead of functioning only as employees.

The launch came shortly after the Chandigarh Administration suspended the licences of app-based taxi aggregators Ola, Uber and InDrive in the city for six months.

Officials said the cooperative model aimed to improve drivers’ earnings and participation while providing reliable transportation services to passengers.

The platform also focused on stable fares. Unlike some app-based cab services, where fares could rise sharply during peak hours, Bharat Taxi aimed to keep prices consistent and affordable for commuters.

Officials from the Union Ministry of Cooperation said the government-backed service had been designed to provide a transparent and dependable option in the urban transport sector. The initiative was also expected to strengthen the cooperative movement by giving drivers a direct role in the platform’s operations and growth.

With its launch in Chandigarh, Bharat Taxi provided commuters with an additional ride-booking option while giving drivers a greater stake in the service.