Delhi's Pink Card Lock-In Period Removed, But Technical Glitches Persist on DTC Buses
On April 1, 2026, a pink card test was conducted on various Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses across the capital, revealing significant updates and ongoing challenges in the government's free bus scheme for women and transgender commuters. Days after a Times of India (TOI) report highlighted a 60-minute lock-in period restricting multiple rides, a follow-up field check on Wednesday found that this restriction has been lifted. However, technical glitches in the card reading system continue to pose operational hurdles.
Removal of Lock-In Period Confirmed
TOI had initially reported on March 15, 2026, after conducting multiple bus rides, that the free-ride benefit via the Saheli card could not be availed within an hour of one swipe, effectively locking the card and preventing passengers from taking connecting buses. In response, the Delhi government clarified that the restriction applied only to the same buses and promised to review technical issues as the system was still being rolled out.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reinforced this on Tuesday, stating there is no hourly cap on pink cards, allowing women and transgender commuters to take multiple rides without waiting. To verify this claim, TOI retested the card on Wednesday, boarding six buses at timed intervals.
Field Test Details and Findings
The field check began at 11:21 AM on a bus from Qutub Minar metro station towards Badarpur (route 718), where a familiar problem emerged: the card machine froze after the swipe, forcing the conductor to issue a paper ticket. At 11:35 AM, on route 522B, the first successful swipe occurred, albeit after a brief delay where the conductor initially reported the machine was not reading the card.
To test shorter intervals, TOI attempted another bus (route 427) around 11:45 AM, but it lacked a functional card reading machine. After deboarding, a successful swipe was achieved at 11:50 AM on a bus on the same 427 route, marking a gap of about 15 minutes from the previous valid swipe at 11:35 AM. This swipe faced no restrictions, confirming the removal of the lock-in period.
Subsequent rides at 12:22 PM and 1:22 PM further showed no usage cap or block, solidifying that the lock-in restriction has been eliminated.
Persistent Operational Challenges
Despite the removal of the lock-in period, operational challenges remain prevalent. Card reading machines frequently glitch, often freezing for minutes after a single swipe, which forces conductors to revert to issuing paper tickets. This technical instability disrupts the seamless experience intended by the scheme.
Conversations during the rides indicated lingering confusion among passengers. Several women commuters reported earlier problems while changing buses due to the lock period, with one noting, "There used to be a problem earlier, but now it has probably been removed." This highlights the need for clearer communication and system improvements to ensure all beneficiaries can fully utilize the free bus scheme without hindrance.
The Delhi government's efforts to enhance public transport accessibility are evident, but addressing these technical issues is crucial for the scheme's success and commuter satisfaction.
