Pune & Pimpri-Chinchwad commuters have a new alternative to Ola, Uber and Rapido. Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-led, driver-owned cab service, launched in the twin cities last week with fixed fares and no surge pricing during rain or periods of high demand.
The rollout followed a phased approach: trials began in Mumbai on May 25, then Pune on June 26, before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis formally launched the service at Navi Mumbai International Airport on July 23. With trials now complete, commuters across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad can book rides on the platform, Bharat Taxi Pune city head Mohit Mitra was quoted by the Indian Express.
Bharat Taxi follows a fixed fare model with separate rates for non-peak and peak hours. A maximum 10% fare increase is applicable only during designated peak periods.
Auto
Non-peak: ₹18/km
Peak: ₹20/km
Hatchback
Non-peak: ₹24/km
Peak: ₹26.40/km
Sedan
Non-peak: ₹25/km
Peak: ₹27.50/km
SUV
Non-peak: ₹32/km
Peak: ₹35/km
No surge pricing: Fares remain unchanged during rain, festivals and periods of high demand.
Limited peak-hour hike: A maximum 10% fare increase applies only during designated morning and evening rush hours.
35,000+ drivers onboarded: The platform has enrolled more than 35,000 drivers across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Wide vehicle options: Services are available across auto-rickshaws, hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs.
RTO-based pricing: Fare rates are aligned with Regional Transport Office (RTO) norms.
Unlike conventional ride-hailing platforms, Bharat Taxi follows a cooperative, driver-owned model, where drivers are stakeholders instead of commission-paying gig workers. The company says this allows drivers to retain their earnings while having a greater role in how the platform operates.
The platform also follows a regulated fare structure, with fixed floor and ceiling rates instead of dynamic pricing. While Ola, Uber and Rapido typically adjust fares based on demand, Bharat Taxi keeps prices predictable by limiting fare revisions to a fixed peak-hour surcharge. The company says the model is designed to balance affordable fares for commuters with stable earnings for drivers.