A major change is set to be made to the free bus travel scheme for women in Delhi. The government is preparing to end the pink ticket system and implement the ‘Pink Saheli Smart Card’.
Under this new arrangement, women will be required to use a smart card for free travel on DTC and cluster buses from 2026. The scheme aims to fully digitise the system and prevent its misuse. Smart cards will now replace the paper pink tickets in the free bus travel scheme for women, which has been in place since 2019.
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The government believes the smart card system will make the ticketing process more transparent and ensure the identification of genuine beneficiaries. Women will be required to tap the card on an electronic ticketing machine upon boarding the bus.
An Aadhaar card with a Delhi address will be required to obtain a Pink Saheli card. The card will be mandatory for girls and women aged 12 and over. The card will store information related to the passenger's identity to ensure the proper implementation of the free travel scheme.
According to government data, approximately 2 crore women travel on Delhi's buses each month. These passengers will directly benefit from the new smart card system, and it will clarify how many women the scheme is reaching. The Delhi government's plan is not limited to women.
The transport department is working on introducing three types of smart cards, including:
-Pink Saheli Card: Exclusively for women, for completely free travel on Delhi's buses.
-Special Smart Card: To provide special facilities for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other existing bus pass holders.
-General Smart Card: For all passengers, which can be topped up and used like a metro card.
Registration counters for the smart cards will be opened across Delhi at DM and SDM offices, bus depots, and Common Service Centres (CSC). The responsibility for issuing the cards and operating the counters will be given to two private agencies or banks.
The government plans to implement the smart card-based free bus travel system from 2026, once all preparations are complete. Following this, pink tickets will be completely discontinued. Sources close to the government state that if all preparations are completed, the path will be clear to implement the smart card-based system at any time after January 14.
The government states that the smart card will not only digitise the system but also curb leakages, fraud, and unnecessary expenditure within the free travel scheme. Furthermore, a modern and integrated ticketing system will be established for bus passengers.