PinkSaheli – Delhi Makes Smart Card Mandatory for Women’s Free Bus Travel from August
PinkSaheli – Women travelling on Delhi’s public buses under the government’s free travel scheme will need to carry a valid Pink Saheli smart card from August 1, as the Transport Department moves to replace the existing paper ticket system with a digital verification process.
The Delhi government has announced that the long-running free bus travel benefit for women will continue without interruption, but access to the scheme will now depend on the use of the Pink Saheli smart card. Officials said the change is part of a phased transition aimed at making the system more transparent, efficient, and easier to manage across the capital’s bus network.
Smart Card to Replace Paper Tickets
According to an official order issued by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), women passengers seeking free travel in DTC and cluster buses will be required to present a valid Pink Saheli smart card from August 1. The card must be tapped on the electronic machine while boarding the bus to receive the travel benefit.
Until July 31, passengers can continue using the existing pink paper tickets. However, after the deadline, these tickets will no longer be issued, and the smart card will become the only approved method for accessing the free travel facility.
Awareness Campaign Launched Across Bus Network
Transport authorities have also begun a citywide awareness campaign to encourage women commuters to obtain the Pink Saheli smart card before the new rules take effect. DTC staff have been instructed to inform passengers about the upcoming transition and guide eligible travellers through the application process.
Officials said the campaign was initiated after noticing that many eligible women had not yet enrolled for the new card despite its availability. The objective is to ensure that no beneficiary loses access to the scheme because of a lack of awareness or delayed registration.
Government Assures Continuation of Free Travel
Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh reiterated that the government’s commitment to providing free bus travel for women remains unchanged. He clarified that the introduction of the smart card is only a change in the method of verification and does not affect the scheme itself.
The minister urged commuters not to be concerned about the transition, stating that every eligible woman will continue to receive the benefit once she possesses a valid Pink Saheli smart card. He also confirmed that paper pink tickets will remain operational until the end of July, allowing sufficient time for passengers to switch to the digital system.
Large Number of Cards Already Distributed
Officials said that around 15 lakh Pink Saheli smart cards have already been issued across Delhi. The government expects the number to rise further in the coming weeks as more women complete the registration process before the August deadline.
The shift to a smart card-based model is expected to improve record-keeping, simplify passenger verification, and reduce reliance on paper tickets. Authorities believe the digital system will help streamline operations while ensuring that benefits are delivered only to eligible commuters.
Women who have not yet received their Pink Saheli smart card have been advised to apply as early as possible to avoid any inconvenience after the new rules come into force. The Transport Department has indicated that the transition is designed to make the free travel scheme more efficient while ensuring its continued implementation across Delhi’s public transport network.