The government-backed Bharat Taxi App was launched in Mumbai on Thursday (23 April), mounting a direct challenge to private ride-hailing aggregators by pitching itself as a driver-first alternative.
The driver-side application went live on 23 April, while the passenger version is slated for release in the first week of May.
In a notable move, the platform will for the first time bring electric autorickshaws and electric kaali peeli cabs under its umbrella, marking a push towards cleaner urban transport along with regulated fares.
The app has already gained traction across Delhi NCR, Gujarat and Lucknow, with more than 5.17 lakh drivers onboarded and roughly 50 lakh passengers registered.
By doing away with aggregator commissions and subscription charges, the government is counting on robust driver adoption to take on entrenched players like Uber and Rapido.
Strict meter-based pricing will be enforced through the app to bring uniformity and build passenger confidence.
Union minister and North Mumbai MP Piyush Goyal inaugurated the platform at a function in Kandivali West. The government has tied up with the largest auto and taxi union headed by Shashank Sharad Rao to rope in permit holders.
Speaking to a sizeable gathering of drivers, Goyal pitched the launch as a socio-economic reform rather than a mere tech rollout.
"This platform will eliminate the commission charged by private app-based aggregators. It also opens up opportunities to introduce electric auto rickshaws and taxis. Drivers can access Mudra loans and benefit from bulk purchase discounts through tie-ups with vehicle manufacturers. The Bharat Taxi App will certainly improve driver livelihoods," Goyal said.
A Bharat Taxi App spokesperson said, "As the commission charged will be bare minimum, it gives us room to reduce fares. These will be finalised after discussions with the state transport authority. Mudra loans for e-vehicles will be available at around 9.5 per cent, which is lower than standard vehicle loan rates."
So far, the driver app has clocked at least 25,000 downloads. Safety features will include an SOS button, tie-ups with local police, compulsory driver verification and real-time emergency response.
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