Pink Saheli Smart Card: If you ride Delhi buses for free every day, then this news is for you! The free bus program for women in Delhi is about to change. The government is planning to swap the current pink ticket system for a ‘Pink Saheli Smart Card’ by 2026. Women will need this card to travel without paying in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses. To apply for the Pink Saheli Smart Card, having a Delhi Aadhar Card is a must. With around two crore women using Delhi buses each month, this smart card will be super helpful for them.
What’s the age limit?
As per the DTC, the minimum age to get a Pink Saheli card is 12 years. Women in Delhi who are 12 and older and have an Aadhaar card with a Delhi address can apply for this card. Once you have the card, just tap it on the conductor’s electronic ticketing machine (ETM) when you get on. The Delhi government has made it clear that this service is only for women residing in the capital. Women from other NCR areas without a Delhi address on their Aadhaar card won’t be able to benefit from this scheme.
When will the card be available?
Sources say the Pink Saheli Smart Card scheme is set to kick off on January 14, 2026. The DTC has chosen two private agencies for this initiative, and special card counters will be established throughout Delhi. These counters will be found in the District Magistrate’s office, SDM office, bus depots, and Common Service Centers (CSCs). Remember, women will need an Aadhaar card with a Delhi address to get a smart card; without it, the card won’t be issued.
When did this service start?
However, there are no income restrictions for this scheme, meaning every woman living in Delhi can apply. It’s worth noting that the Aam Aadmi Party government launched the Pink Ticket Scheme in 2019 to provide free bus travel to women. Now, the current Bharatiya Janata Party government is abolishing this system and implementing a smart card system to digitalize the process and prevent misuse.
