# Cab drivers could earn Rs 1.36 lakh more under zero-commission model 2026-08-15T02:08:16+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A new study by the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) says India's cab drivers could take home up to Rs 1.36 lakh more each year if ride-hailing platforms switched to a zero-commission, software-as-a-service (SaaS) model. Instead of surrendering 20-30% of fares to aggregators like Uber and Ola, drivers would pay a flat software subscription fee and keep all their earnings. The study argues that open-network systems would also improve service in smaller cities. But the model faces a tax hurdle. Under Section 9(5) of the GST Act, e-commerce platforms are liable for GST on passenger transport, a rule designed for commission-based apps that control fares. SaaS platforms have no visibility into what passengers pay drivers, and Karnataka's advance rulings have been contradictory. Nearly 90% of drivers surveyed said their income depends on platform work. ## Coverage - economictimes.indiatimes.com Tags: GST, Ola, ONDC, SaaS, Uber Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/cab-drivers-could-earn-rs-1-36-lakh-more-under-zero-commission-model/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/cab-drivers-could-earn-rs-1-36-lakh-more-under-zero-commission-model/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.