Women travelling for free in Delhi’s DTC and cluster buses may soon need a Pink Saheli Smart Card to continue using the service.
According to reports, the Delhi government plans to completely stop the existing pink paper tickets from July 2026.
After that, free travel benefits for women will reportedly be available only through the new smart card system.
The move is aimed at making bus travel more transparent and reducing misuse of free tickets.
Pink Tickets May End From July 2026
The Pink Ticket Scheme was launched in 2019 during the Aam Aadmi Party government to allow women free travel on DTC buses.
Now, the Rekha Gupta government is reportedly shifting the system to a digital smart card model linked with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) platform.
Under the new system:
Women passengers will need to carry the Pink Saheli Smart Card
The card must be tapped on the electronic machine after boarding the bus
Physical pink tickets may no longer be accepted
Officials believe the smart card system will help maintain accurate travel records and improve transparency in the scheme.
Who Can Apply for Pink Saheli Smart Card?
At present, the Pink Saheli Smart Card is available only for women living in Delhi.
Women from NCR cities such as:
Noida
Ghaziabad
Faridabad
are currently not eligible for the scheme.
To apply for the card, applicants must:
Be above 12 years of age
Have an Aadhaar card
Have a mobile number linked with Aadhaar
Be a Delhi resident
Documents Needed for Pink Saheli Smart Card
Women applying for the smart card need to carry:
Aadhaar card
Mobile number linked with Aadhaar
Delhi voter ID
Passport-size photograph
The application process is being handled at multiple centres across Delhi.
Where Are Pink Saheli Smart Cards Being Made?
The Delhi government has set up around 50 centres across the city where women can apply for the card.
Applications are being accepted between:
9 AM to 5 PM
Some major centres include:
SDM Offices
Deputy Commissioner Offices
DTC Pass Sections
DTC Bus Depots
Popular locations include:
Kashmere Gate
Lajpat Nagar
Rohini
Nehru Place
Jamia
Dwarka
Hauz Khas
Punjabi Bagh
Shahdara
Delhi Gate
North Campus (DU)
JNU
Why the Government Is Switching to Smart Cards
The government says the digital system will help:
Reduce misuse of free tickets
Improve passenger data tracking
Create accurate travel records
Simplify monitoring of the scheme
The smart card system is also part of a larger push toward digital public transport services in Delhi.
Women Using Free Bus Travel Should Apply Soon
Since pink paper tickets may be discontinued from July 2026, women who regularly travel in DTC and cluster buses may need to get the Pink Saheli Smart Card as early as possible.
Once the new system becomes fully active, free travel may only work through the smart card platform.
