Bharat Taxi: Once cheaper alternative to Ola, Uber now expensive
Bharat Taxi, the government-backed cab service launched at Delhi Airport this January, was supposed to be a cheaper alternative to Ola and Uber—with zero driver commissions.
But just a month in, both fares and driver complaints are on the rise.
Fares have gone up significantly
Instead of saving money, travelers are seeing higher prices. A trip to Vasant Kunj D-6 now costs ₹650 with luggage (up from ₹400-450), while Noida rides have shot up from ₹900 to ₹1,200.
This is a big shift from Bharat Taxi's pilot days when rides were up to 30% cheaper than the competition during peak hours.
Drivers are facing issues too
Despite promises of zero commission, drivers say 7% is still being cut from their pay.
Many also claim they were signed up without being asked first, and switching to online payments has been tough for those without smartphones.
The gap between what was promised and what's happening on the ground is hard for both riders and drivers to ignore.