WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from India
CO-OP LAUNCH TAXI SERVICE TO TAKE ON UBER AND OLA
The government in India has launched a co-op taxi app in a bid to take on the market domin- ation of private players such as Uber and Ola. Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, Sahkar Taxi Cooperative says it offers “safe, affordable, and reliable transport while supporting local drivers who earn 100% of their fare – no middlemen, no hidden charges”. The initiative is backed by eight major co-operative organisations. Each promoter has committed ₹10 crore in the initial phase and the co-op has an overall authorised share capital of ₹300 crore, Rural Voice has reported. The move was announced in parliament by union minister Amit Shah announced the plan in Parliament, who said the new service will register two- wheeler taxis, rickshaws, and four-wheeler taxis. The Ministry of Cooperation says co-op is not being run solely for profit, and will charge reasonable fares, and a significant portion of the earnings will be distributed among the drivers. Drivers will also receive social security benefits, the ministry adds. The dominance of the ride-hailing market by corporate tech giants has long been a campaigning issue for co-op players like the Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC), who argue that the Uber model offers unfair working conditions and extracts capital from localities. with a number of co- op initiatives – such as the Drivers Cooperative, which operates in several US cities – set up around the world to offer a more ethical alternative. In 2018, the PCC heard greetings from 45 taxi co-op leaders in Brazil, during its global conference in Hong Kong. For this latest co-op foray in the taxi business, operations are expected to begin by December in Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, followed by a phased national rollout.
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Around 400–500 drivers are expected to be enrolled for the initial phase, with the opportunity to become a member after six months by purchasing five shares worth ₹100 each. The co-op is also recruiting for executive positions. A similar model already exists in West Bengal, the Economic Times reports, with the launch of Yatri Sathi.
from USA
NYC CABS FITTED WITH CAMERAS TO COMBAT INSURANCE FRAUD
The New York Federation of Taxi Drivers (NYSFTD) has launched a new programme, “Operation Bright Eyes,” to protect drivers from insurance fraud and scams. The initiative will equip 500 cabs with front, rear, and interior cameras, with plans to expand the programme to more vehicles in the city’s livery and black car industry. The programme’s goal is to provide drivers with video evidence against people who falsely claim to be victims of accidents or injuries. This comes after a viral dash cam video from last year showed what authorities believe was a staged car crash on the Belt Parkway in Queens, intended to fraudulently collect insurance money. Fernando Mateo, a spokesperson for the NYSFTD, said the cameras are a necessary defence. “For years, powerful crime organisations - lawyers, clinics and scammers - have built empires by stealing from taxi drivers and insurance companies,” he said. “We’re done being victims. We can’t carry guns or knives to defend ourselves so these cameras are our weapons, and we're hunting the truth.” Mateo added, “If you’ve been part of this criminal game, we see you now.” The NYSFTD collaborated with American Transit and Display Ride to raise the funds for the cameras, which cost around $300 each. The federation will manage the video files to ensure all evidence is properly documented. The group claims this “billion-dollar fraud machine” drives up insurance costs and can lead to
drivers losing their licences while investigations are underway. AUGUST 2025 PHTM
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