Women traveling free in Delhi’s public buses may soon see a major change in the transport system. The Government of Delhi is preparing to phase out the existing pink ticket system and replace it with a fully digital smart card-based model.
Under the new plan, women traveling in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses will soon need a:
- Pink Saheli Smart Card
for free travel benefits.
Officials say the current paper-based pink ticket system may be completely discontinued from:
- July 2026
What Is the Pink Saheli Smart Card?
The proposed:
- Pink Saheli Smart Card
is a digital travel card designed for women using Delhi’s public bus network.
Under the new system:
- Women passengers will tap the smart card on electronic ticketing machines while boarding buses
- Travel records will be stored digitally
- Subsidy tracking will become automated
The move is aimed at making Delhi’s public transport system more transparent and technology-driven.
Why Is Delhi Replacing Pink Tickets?
The pink ticket system was introduced in 2019 to allow women to travel free in Delhi government buses.
Now, the Delhi government wants to integrate the scheme with:
- National Common Mobility Card
under the central government’s:
- “One Nation, One Card” initiative.
Officials believe the digital model will help:
- Improve subsidy transparency
- Reduce misuse
- Track passenger movement better
- Modernize public transport operations
How the New System Will Work
Once implemented:
- Women passengers will board the bus
- Tap the Pink Saheli Smart Card on the electronic machine
- The journey will get digitally recorded
- Free travel benefit will be automatically applied
Unlike the current system, no paper pink ticket will be issued.
Over 6 Lakh Women Have Already Registered
According to transport department data:
- Registration for the smart card started in March 2026
- Around 6 lakh women have already enrolled
Registrations have reportedly taken place through:
- 58 designated centers across Delhi
However, officials say only:
- 5–6% of users
are currently using the tap-based digital system regularly because paper tickets are still operational.
Who Can Apply for the Pink Saheli Smart Card?
The facility is expected to remain available only for women residing in Delhi.
Expected Eligibility Conditions
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency | Delhi resident |
| Minimum Age | 12 years or above |
| Aadhaar Requirement | Delhi Aadhaar card mandatory |
| Mobile Number | Aadhaar-linked active mobile number required |
Where Can Women Apply?
Women can reportedly apply for the:
- Pink Saheli Smart Card
through multiple centers, including:
- DTC depots
- Pass sections
- SDM offices
- Special registration centers across Delhi
Officials say more than:
- 50 dedicated centers
have been set up for registration support.
Digital Public Transport Push in Delhi
The smart card rollout is part of Delhi’s broader effort to digitize public transportation systems.
Transport experts believe digital ticketing may help:
- Reduce paper use
- Improve travel analytics
- Simplify subsidy management
- Speed up boarding process
Women Advised to Complete Registration Early
Officials are encouraging eligible women to register before the full transition happens.
Women may need:
- Aadhaar verification
- Mobile OTP authentication
- Basic identity details
during the registration process.
Major Change for Daily Bus Commuters
The end of paper pink tickets will mark one of the biggest changes in Delhi’s women free bus travel scheme since its launch in 2019.
If implemented successfully, the new smart card-based system could become a key part of Delhi’s future digital mobility network.
