Starting August 1, women in Delhi will no longer receive free bus travel unless they possess a Pink Saheli smart card, as the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) phases out paper-based pink tickets. The move aims to accelerate adoption of the digital card, with only 11 lakh issued to date against a target of 13 lakh by July-end.
DTC Mandates Smart Card for Free Travel
The DTC has confirmed that from August 1, pink tickets—previously issued for free travel—will only be available to women who tap a valid Pink Saheli card upon boarding. Without the card, women must purchase regular tickets at standard fares for DTC and Cluster (DoT) buses.
The transition marks a shift from a paper-based system to a digital one, aligning with broader efforts to streamline public transport operations. The government has established 50 authorized centers across Delhi to facilitate card issuance, urging eligible women to obtain theirs before the deadline.
Adoption Push and Infrastructure
Current adoption stands at 11 lakh cards, with the Delhi government targeting 13 lakh by the end of July. The DTC has launched a special awareness drive across its fleet to inform commuters of the upcoming change.
- 11 lakh Pink Saheli cards distributed as of now
- Target: 13 lakh cards by July 31
- 50 authorized centers for card issuance
- Mandatory smart card use from August 1
