- By Nidhi Giri
- Mon, 29 Jun 2026 03:15 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The pink ticket system, which provides convenience to women and special category passengers in Delhi, will be completely phased out from July 1, 2026. Now, only pink cards or the “Pink Saheli” smart card holders will be able to travel on DTC buses in Delhi. This sudden change has sparked considerable discussion and some confusion among passengers.
Why Was The Decision Taken?
This change is primarily intended to prevent ticket misuse and make the system more transparent. Previously, pink tickets were readily available at ticket counters, but were often misused. Male passengers also used them to occupy reserved seats. Furthermore, there were frequent complaints of lost tickets or fake tickets. To address these problems, the government has made the pink card mandatory.
What Is A Pink Card?
The Pink Card is an official identity card issued to women, persons with disabilities, and other special categories of travellers. It contains the traveller's photo, name, age, and validity period. The card is issued after verification of Aadhaar or other government documents, virtually eliminating the possibility of fraud. Once issued, it will remain valid for a long period, saving travellers the hassle of repeatedly purchasing tickets.
Crowds Gather At Pink Card Centres
As the deadline approached, women gathered at various Pink Card centres on Sunday to get their cards made. Chaos was also observed at the Pink Card Centre located at Nehru Place. Despite Sunday being a holiday, long lines of women stretched out onto the main road from early morning, waiting for their turn.