AAI, Bharat Taxi partner to offer surge-free rides at Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar airports

A cooperative alternative

Operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited and promoted by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Bharat Taxi functions on a driver-owned cooperative model, unlike conventional ride-hailing platforms. The service promises transparent, fixed pricing with no surge charges, addressing passenger complaints about arbitrary fare hikes during peak hours and late-night travel.

K Shambhavi, a Pune resident and frequent flyer, welcomed the initiative. “This can ease convenience for passengers, reducing the waiting time during peak hours, avoiding surge pricing, and eliminating the inconvenience caused during driver strikes that have become frequent with other platforms,” she said.

Benefits for passengers & drivers

Under the Bharat Taxi model, passengers will be charged a fixed fare based on distance travelled, with no hidden costs or dynamic pricing. This is expected to help reduce the fare unpredictability that has been experienced through app-based taxi services in recent years.

For drivers, the cooperative structure ensures they retain the entire profit from each ride after accounting for operational costs. According to NCDC, drivers will receive payment based on prescribed per-kilometre rates, with ownership stakes in the cooperatives, so as to prioritise driver welfare.

Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL) has developed a dedicated app for the service, which drivers can register on to access rides. The initiative is aligned with the central government’s focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat, Sahakar se Samriddhi, and the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The move comes amid criticism of ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido over issues of non-compliance of RTO-approved fares and other demands. By introducing a government-backed, co-operative-driven alternative, AAI aims to set a new standard for last-mile connectivity at airports.