Pink Saheli Smart Card Will Be Mandatory For Womens From July to Ride Free In DTC Buses

  • May 11, 2026, 5:45 p.m.

Delhi's government is preparing to make the Pink Saheli Smart Card mandatory from July 2026 for Womens to travel free of cost in DTC and cluster buses. The move will gradually phase out the pink paper ticket system introduced in 2019. 

The initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate Delhi’s public transport services under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) ecosystem aligned with the Centre’s “One Nation, One Card” framework.


What Is the Pink Saheli Smart Card?

The Pink Saheli Smart Card is a digital travel card designed specifically for women residents of Delhi to continue availing free rides on:

  • Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses
  • Cluster buses across the city.

Unlike the existing pink paper ticket system, commuters will now have to:

  • Carry the smart card
  • Tap it on the Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM) while boarding.

Officials say this will:

  • Digitally record every free journey
  • Improve subsidy transparency
  • Reduce misuse
  • Generate real-time ridership data for transport planning.

Who Can Apply?

The scheme is currently limited to:

  • Women residents of Delhi
  • Girls aged 12 years and above (as per government eligibility guidelines).

Applicants must provide:

  • Aadhaar card with Delhi address
  • Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

Some reports also note that transgender residents are included under the broader smart-card framework.


Adoption Still Low Despite Large Rollout

According to official data:

  • Around 5.5–6 lakh Pink Saheli cards have already been issued through centres across Delhi
  • But only 5–6% of women commuters currently use the tap-card system regularly.

Most passengers still rely on pink paper tickets, prompting the government to plan:

  • Awareness campaigns inside buses and depots
  • Surveys to understand low adoption rates.

Why the Government Is Digitising the Scheme

Officials say the digital system offers several advantages:

1. Better Transparency

Each journey will be digitally logged, making subsidy reimbursement more accurate.

2. Reduced Ticket Misuse

Smart-card validation can help prevent duplicate or fraudulent ticket claims.

3. Unified Mobility System

The card is designed to eventually integrate with:

  • Delhi Metro
  • RRTS
  • Other transport systems under NCMC.

4. Data-Driven Planning

Travel data could help authorities:

  • Optimize bus routes
  • Understand women’s mobility patterns
  • Improve service deployment.

Free Travel Scheme Continues

Officials clarified that:

  • The free bus travel scheme itself is not being discontinued
  • Only the access mechanism is changing from paper tickets to smart cards.

The Delhi government has allocated around ₹450 crore in the 2026–27 budget for continuation of the scheme and its digital integration.

Delhi currently operates around:

  • 5,500 DTC and cluster buses
  • More than 10 lakh women commuters use the service daily.

Why This Shift Is Bigger Than Just a Smart Card

1. Public Transport Is Becoming Data-Driven

The shift reflects a broader transformation where urban transport systems increasingly rely on:

  • Digital ticketing
  • Mobility analytics
  • Integrated fare ecosystems.

2. Women’s Mobility and Workforce Participation

Studies suggest free public transport schemes can improve:

  • Women’s workforce participation
  • Employment access
  • Mobility independence.

3. Delhi Moving Toward Unified Transit

By linking buses with NCMC infrastructure, Delhi is gradually building a seamless transport ecosystem similar to global smart-mobility systems.

4. Digital Divide Challenges Remain

The low usage rate also highlights practical barriers:

  • Limited awareness
  • Habit-based reliance on paper tickets
  • Accessibility issues for elderly or low-tech users.

The Road Ahead

Before July implementation, the government is expected to:

  • Expand card distribution centres
  • Increase awareness campaigns
  • Improve ETM compatibility and commuter guidance.

Authorities may also monitor:

  • Whether conductors actively encourage tapping
  • Usage patterns among interstate commuters
  • Technical issues during peak-hour operations.

Paper Tickets to Digital Card

Delhi’s transition from pink paper tickets to Pink Saheli Smart Cards marks a significant step toward digitising one of India’s largest women-focused public transport welfare schemes. While the change promises greater transparency and integrated mobility, its long-term success will depend on how smoothly commuters adapt to the new system and how effectively the government bridges the current awareness and usage gap.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

Related News