Government to launch Ola, Uber-like 'Sahkar taxi', drivers to get full benefit

This move comes after major ride-hailing platforms like Ola and Uber are under fire for discriminatory pricing.

In a bid to generate more jobs, the government is set to introduce 'Sahar Taxi', a cooperative-based ride-hailing services designed to benefit drivers directly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Parliament.

Speaking in Lok Sabha, Shah emphasised that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi's vision of 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation).

"This is not just a slogan. The Ministry of Cooperation has worked relentlessly for three and a half years to implement this on the ground. In a few months, a major cooperative taxi service will be launched, ensuring direct profit flow to the drivers," Shah said.

This move comes after major ride-hailing platforms like Ola and Uber are under fire for discriminatory pricing.

Recently, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued notices to both companies after reports surfaced suggesting that ride fares varied based on whether a user was booking via an iPhone or an Android device.

In response to the allegations, Ola refuted claims of platform-based price discrimination. "We have a uniform pricing structure for all our customers and do not differentiate based on the operating system of the user’s cellphone for identical rides," the company stated, adding that it had provided clarifications to the CCPA, reported India Today.

Similarly, Uber also denied the accusations, asserting that pricing is not determined by a rider's phone model. "We do not set prices based on a rider's phone manufacturer. We look forward to working with the CCPA to resolve any misunderstanding," an Uber spokesperson said as quoted by India Today.

The controversy gained traction in December 2024 after a social media post on X showed two phones displaying different fares for the same Uber ride, sparking widespread debate.

Speaking about the matter, Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, labelling such differential pricing as an "unfair trade practice". He further announced that the government would extend its investigation into pricing strategies across other sectors, including food delivery and online ticketing platforms, to ensure consumer protection against possible exploitative practices.