Drivers had no share in company profits; Bharat Taxi changes that: Gujarat CM
Gandhinagar, June 27
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday said that Bharat Taxi seeks to address a long-standing imbalance in the ride-hailing sector by ensuring that drivers share the ownership and benefits of the platform, unlike conventional taxi companies where they receive only fixed earnings.
Addressing the launch of Bharat Taxi in Gujarat in the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Patel said the cooperative initiative represented a new model in which drivers would become stakeholders rather than remaining only service providers.
"For years, taxi drivers continued to provide services, but they had no share in the profits of the companies, and had to sustain themselves on a fixed income through fixed salaries," CM Patel said.
He added, "Bharat Taxi has been launched with the idea of transforming this hardship into a better system. Drivers will now be called Sarathis, and the word will become a symbol of self-reliance, dignity and self-respect."
Patel said the platform reflected the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah to expand the cooperative movement beyond its traditional sectors.
"Today, Shah is launching the Bharat Taxi service in Gujarat. This beginning is not merely the launch of a new taxi service, but a resolve to further strengthen the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat with a new idea," he said.
According to CM Patel, the cooperative sector, which has traditionally focused on agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry and banking, is now entering the mobility sector through a driver-owned model.
"The cooperative sector, which until now was limited to agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy and banking, will now become a model of participation by Sarathis with dignity of labour," he asserted.
Recalling HM Shah's remarks at the national launch of Bharat Taxi in February, Patel said: "He had very aptly said that cooperation means giving those who labour a share in the profits as well. Many taxi drivers in Gujarat will also benefit from this ideology."
Patel said Bharat Taxi, established by eight major cooperative institutions, had become "the world's largest cooperative structure owned by drivers".
He added that since its launch earlier this year, the platform had enrolled seven lakh members while more than 37 lakh customers had used the service. "This is a cooperative model in which the centre of development is not merely capital, but human beings," he said.
Patel said the platform would offer transparent fare standards for passengers while safeguarding the interests of both customers and Sarathis.
He also announced that the 'Sarathi Didi' initiative would create employment opportunities for women drivers while improving the safety of women passengers.
Expressing confidence in the initiative's future, Patel said Gujarat's long cooperative tradition would contribute to Bharat Taxi's success.
"Cooperation is the very nature of Gujarat, and I am confident that Bharat Taxi will become the most successful in Gujarat, and the Sarathis here will earn the highest incomes in the country," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Sounds good on paper, but let's see the ground reality. Will the fares be truly transparent? And what about customer service? Many cooperative banks have worked well, but in tech-based services, execution matters. The Sarathi Didi initiative for women drivers is a welcome step though. 👏
It's about time! I've met many Ola/Uber drivers who complained about low earnings despite long hours. If Bharat Taxi truly gives them profit sharing and dignity, this could be a game-changer. But I hope the cooperative structure doesn't become bureaucratic like some others. Need efficient management.
I appreciate the intent, but the devil is in the details. How will the profit sharing work? Will drivers have voting rights in the cooperative? Also, with 7 lakh members already enrolled, that's impressive - but will there be enough demand to keep all drivers busy? Genuinely curious about the economics. 🤔
This is exactly what 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' should be about - empowering the actual workers. The cooperative model has worked wonders in dairy (Amul) and banking. Why not in mobility? The 'Sarathi Didi' initiative for women safety and employment is a brilliant touch. Proud of Gujarat for leading this! 🇮🇳
I'm cautiously optimistic. The cooperative model sounds great for drivers, but as a passenger, I want reliability and competitive pricing. Hope the app is user-friendly and available everywhere. If it works, this could really shake up the industry and force other players to treat their drivers better. Competition is always good!
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