Gandhinagar, June 27: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that Bharat Taxihas been established on a philosophy distinct from existing app-based ride-hailing platforms, emphasising that the cooperative initiative regards drivers as "Sarathis" rather than merely service providers.

Addressing thousands of taxi operators during the launch of Bharat Taxi in Gujarat, Shah said the difference goes beyond terminology and reflects the cooperative movement's commitment to dignity, ownership, and respect for those who operate the vehicles.

"As this expansion happened, different kinds of companies came in. These companies created different kinds of apps for taxi rentals. They call the taxi operators drivers; I call them Sarathis. That itself reflects the difference in our thinking," Shah said.

He added, "They consider the Sarathi merely a driver, whereas we regard the driver as a Sarathi. This is the difference between the two systems."

Highlighting the rapid evolution of India's mobility sector, the Home Minister said the role of taxi services has undergone a significant transformation over the past three to four decades. He noted that taxis, once viewed as a limited mode of transport, have now become an integral part of everyday life, with demand extending to virtually every household.

Sharing an anecdote from his visit to the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Shah said he witnessed motorcycles being used as taxis, illustrating how the sector has adapted to meet diverse transportation needs.

"I stopped the vehicle and asked him, 'Brother, how is this a taxi?' He replied that during the Kumbh, they transport people from the railway station to the Kumbh site on motorcycles because four-wheelers are not permitted inside," Shah said, citing the example as evidence of the expanding scope and adaptability of taxi services in India.