Women won't be able to travel for free on DTC buses without this document; know the full details

In Delhi, women will now need a Pink Saheli Smart Card for free bus travel. Additionally, an Aadhaar card with a Delhi address will be required to obtain the Pink Saheli card.

A major change is coming to the free bus travel scheme for women in Delhi. The government is preparing to replace the paper ticket system with a smart card-based system. Under this system, women will now need a specific document for free bus travel. Without this card, free travel will not be available on DTC and cluster buses.

In fact, the paper pink ticket system, which has been in place since 2019 for women's free bus travel, will now be completely phased out. The government believes that the paper ticket system lacks transparency and is prone to misuse, which is why a digital smart card system is being introduced. Women will have to tap their card on the conductor's electronic ticketing machine when boarding the bus. So, let's tell you which documents are necessary for women to travel for free on DTC buses.

Which card is necessary for travel on DTC buses?

In Delhi, women will now need a special document, the Pink Saheli Smart Card, for free bus travel. Without this card, free travel will not be available on DTC and cluster buses. An Aadhaar card with a Delhi address will also be required to obtain the Pink Saheli card. This card will only be issued to women and girls who are residents of Delhi. Regarding age, only girls and women aged 12 years or older will be eligible for this card. Aadhaar will be used to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach only the intended beneficiaries. According to government data, approximately 2 crore women travel for free on DTC buses every month in Delhi. After the implementation of the new smart card system, these same passengers will receive the free travel facility through the Pink Saheli card. This will also allow the government to track how many women are benefiting from the scheme.

Three types of smart cards will be implemented

The Delhi government is preparing to introduce a smart card system not only for women but for all passengers. The Delhi government will now implement three types of smart cards, including the Pink Saheli card exclusively for women, allowing free travel on DTC and cluster buses. A special smart card will be available for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, athletes, widows of soldiers who died in the line of duty, and other bus pass holders. Additionally, a general smart card will be available for all passengers, similar to a MetroCard, which can be prepaid and recharged.

Where will the cards be issued, and when will the new system be implemented?

Applying for the Pink Saheli card will be easy. Registration counters will be set up at DM and SDM offices, bus depots, and Common Service Centres across Delhi. The responsibility for issuing the cards and managing the counters will be given to a few selected private banks. According to government reports, the smart card-based system can be implemented anytime after January 14th, once all preparations are complete. After this, pink tickets will be completely discontinued, and the Pink Saheli card will be mandatory for women to avail of free bus travel.