The Delhi government is gearing up for a significant upgrade to its popular free bus travel scheme for women with the introduction of the Pink Saheli smart card. This new digital system, expected to be rolled out anytime after January 14, 2026, will replace the existing paper-based pink tickets and become mandatory for availing free rides on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses.
What is the Pink Saheli Card and Who is Eligible?
The Pink Saheli Card is a proposed smart card initiative designed to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the free bus travel scheme. This program currently benefits a massive two crore women commuters every month across the national capital. The card will be issued exclusively to girls and women aged 12 years and above who are residents of Delhi.
Officials state that the formalities for implementing this system are nearly complete. The shift aims to streamline the process and move away from the paper tickets that have been in use since the scheme's inception in October 2019.
How and Where to Apply for the Card?
The Delhi Transport Department has finalized partnerships with two private vendors to produce and issue the smart cards. To ensure wide and easy access for all eligible women, the government will soon establish application counters at multiple locations across the city.
These counters will be set up at:
- District Magistrate (DM) and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) offices.
- DTC bus depots.
- Common Service Centres (CSCs).
The application process will require Delhi Aadhaar as proof of identity and residence. Once obtained, using the card is straightforward: commuters simply need to tap the card on the electronic ticketing machine (ETM) carried by the bus conductor to avail of the free travel.
Broader Smart Card Ecosystem and Future Plans
The Pink Saheli card is part of a larger smart card rollout planned for Delhi's public transport. Selected banks will also issue two other categories of cards.
The second category will cater to existing bus pass holders across more than 12 beneficiary groups, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, sportspersons, war widows, and national award winners.
The third category will be a general-purpose, prepaid smart card for all commuters. This card will require full KYC (Know Your Customer) details, including the passenger's name and photograph, with a minimum top-up value of Rs 120.
An exciting potential feature under discussion is the card's interoperability with the Delhi Metro, although officials confirm this integration is yet to be finalized. The imminent launch of the Pink Saheli card marks a major step towards a modern, digitized, and user-friendly public transport system in Delhi, specifically enhancing the experience for its core users—women and girls.
