Government’s Sahkar taxi initiative to launch bike, cab, aut
Government’s Sahkar taxi initiative to launch bike, cab, auto services to compete with Ola, Uber
The Union government has announced to launch new cooperative-based taxi service called "Sahkar Taxi" that will provide bike, cab, and auto services, to compete with popular ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido
NEW DELHI — The Union government has announced to launch new cooperative-based
taxi service called "Sahkar Taxi" that will provide bike, cab, and
auto services, to compete with popular ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber,
and Rapido.
The move is aimed at providing an alternative transport
service where drivers can earn directly without sharing profits with large
corporations.
“Sahkar Taxi will register two-wheeler taxis,
auto-rickshaws, and four-wheeler taxis across the country,” Union Home Minister
and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah said, while announcing the initiative in
Parliament.
Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Sahkar se
Samriddhi' is not just a slogan, the Ministry of Cooperation has worked day and
night in the last three and a half years to realise it.
Shah stated that the Sahkar taxi service will be rolled out
"in the coming months”.
Unlike private companies, this government-backed service
will ensure that all earnings remain with the drivers, giving them greater
financial benefits.
“Profits from this service will not go to any big
industrialist but will go solely to the drivers of the vehicles," the
Union Cooperation Minister said.
In addition, a cooperative insurance company will also be
formed which will do the work of insurance in the cooperative system of the country,
Shah said.
“In a short time, it will become the largest insurance
company in the private sector,” he noted.
The new initiative aims to empower drivers while providing
passengers with a reliable and cost-effective transport option.
A similar model is already operating in West Bengal under
the "Yatri Sathi" service, which was initially available in only
Kolkata. It has now expanded to cities like Siliguri, Asansol, and Durgapur.
Yatri Sathi offers quick bookings, local language support,
affordable fares, and round-the-clock customer assistance, making it a popular
option among passengers.
In 2022, Kerala became the first to launch a
government-owned online taxi service 'Kerala Savaari'. While it has been shut
down due to low usage, the state government now plans to relaunch it with
revised fares and improved software.
