Travel operators, driver unions in Bengaluru welcome Bharat Taxi pilot
BENGALURU: Travel operators and auto-cab unions have welcomed the Centres pilot rollout of the Bharat Taxi platform amid rising public anger over surge pricing, but said the initiatives success will depend on market response rather than policy intent. They also flagged concerns over private players approaching the Union government to extend backend technology support, stressing that the platform must remain transparent, driver-friendly and consumer-centric. The Bharat Taxi app, currently in its testing phase, is positioned as a government-backed alternative to private aggregators accused of opaque pricing and inconsistent service practises. The model has revived debate over whether publicly run or cooperative mobility systems can withstand the operational agility, technology maturity and capital-driven expansion that other aggregator platforms command. Past attempts by state governments to run similar services struggled to sustain themselves in a competitive mobility market where consumer behaviour and tech upgrades often determine survival. While frameworks such as the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the Competition Act exist, regulators continue to face hurdles in addressing digital-market malpractices. K Radhakrishna Holla, president of Karnataka State Travel Operators Association, said the Centres intent to support micro-entrepreneurs and small vehicle owners is welcome, but the eventual outcome hinges on how the market adopts the app. We must wait and see how the model evolves, he said. Tanveer Pasha, president of the Ola and Uber Drivers Association, said the cooperative nature of the platform must be evaluated closely once launched. If it becomes just another commercial app with high charges, then what is the cooperative structure? Who runs it? he said. Pasha also warned against allowing private entities to take over backend functions, alleging that earlier welfare assurances from them never materialised. Manjunath, president of Adarsha Auto Union, said the model resembles large cooperatives, where profits are partly returned to members. He said a transparent, meter-based system with minimal service charges and annual refunds could help drivers earn with dignity and fair fares for consumers while giving reliable mobility data.
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