🚍 Delhi to Replace Pink Tickets With Pink Saheli Smart Cards for Free Women Bus Travel From July 2026

Published Date: May 11, 2026
Category: SRTC Transpost / Travel News
Author: FlipMyTravel Editorial Team

Overview

Women commuters in Delhi will soon need a “Pink Saheli Smart Card” to continue availing free rides on DTC and cluster buses. The Delhi government plans to phase out the existing pink ticket system from July 2026 and shift to a fully digital travel mechanism linked to the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework. Around 6 lakh women have already received the smart cards, but officials say adoption remains low as most passengers still use paper pink tickets.

Discover Headline

Delhi Women to Tap & Travel: Pink Saheli Smart Cards to Replace Free Bus Tickets From July

The daily bus journey for lakhs of women in Delhi is set for a major digital upgrade. Starting July 2026, the familiar pink paper tickets on DTC buses will disappear, replaced by smart, tap-based “Pink Saheli Cards” aimed at making public transport faster, transparent, and more connected.

What Is the Pink Saheli Smart Card?

The Pink Saheli Smart Card is a digital travel card introduced by the Delhi government for women commuters using free bus travel services on DTC and cluster buses. The system is being integrated with the Centre’s “One Nation, One Card” initiative to modernize public transportation and digitally track subsidized travel.

Women will now need to tap the card on the Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM) while boarding buses so every journey is digitally recorded. Officials say this move will improve transparency, reduce misuse, and simplify subsidy management.

Why Delhi Govt Is Ending Pink Tickets

The pink ticket system was launched in 2019 to provide free bus travel for women in Delhi. However, authorities now want a more efficient and technology-driven system.

According to officials:

• Pink tickets will gradually be discontinued from July 2026
• Smart cards will digitally record each journey
• The system will help transport authorities understand commuter behavior and improve bus operations
• The initiative supports India’s expanding smart mobility ecosystem

Who Can Apply for the Pink Saheli Card?

The smart card is available only for women residents of Delhi.

Eligibility:

• Women and girls aged 12 years and above
• Must have a Delhi Aadhaar card
• Aadhaar-linked mobile number required for verification

Some earlier reports also mentioned transgender residents being included under the scheme.

How to Use the Card

Using the Pink Saheli Smart Card is simple:

1. Board a DTC or cluster bus
2. Tap the smart card on the conductor’s ETM machine
3. Travel gets digitally registered instantly
4. No paper ticket needed

Officials say awareness campaigns will soon begin across buses and depots because only 5–6% of cardholders currently tap their cards while travelling.

Travel Insight for Daily Commuters

For women travelling daily across Delhi for work, college, or business, the Pink Saheli Card could significantly reduce ticketing hassle and improve commuting convenience.

The integration with the National Common Mobility Card framework may also open future possibilities like:

• Metro interoperability
• Unified city transport payments
• Faster boarding process
• Better digital travel records

Travel experts believe Delhi’s move reflects a growing trend toward contactless urban mobility systems already seen in major global cities.

FAQs

When will Pink Saheli Cards become mandatory in Delhi?

The Delhi government plans to make the cards mandatory from July 2026 for free bus travel.

Will pink tickets stop completely?

Yes, authorities are preparing to phase out the existing pink ticket system.

Who is eligible for the Pink Saheli Smart Card?

Women residents of Delhi aged 12 years and above with Delhi Aadhaar verification are eligible.

Can the card be used on Delhi Metro?

Officials have indicated future interoperability possibilities with Metro systems under the National Common Mobility Card framework.

How many women already have the card?

Around 6 lakh women have reportedly received Pink Saheli Smart Cards so far.