Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Delhi Women May Need Pink Saheli Cards for Free Buses
Delhi is changing how some passengers get free bus rides.
Paper Pink Tickets are being replaced by Pink Saheli Smart Cards.
A government notification expected on Friday may make the cards compulsory.
Nearly 19 lakh cards have already been issued.
Women, girls and transgender residents of Delhi aged five or older can apply.
Applicants need Aadhaar and a mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
The first card is free.
Reports differ about whether a replacement costs ₹49 or ₹59.
The card gives free travel on DTC and Cluster buses, but Delhi Metro and RRTS rides must be paid for.
The Delhi government plans to replace paper-based Pink Tickets with Pink Saheli Smart Cards for free travel on Delhi Transport Corporation and Cluster buses.
A notification expected Friday could make the cards mandatory, following earlier extensions of the Pink Ticket system.
Nearly 19 lakh Pink Saheli Cards have been issued, with 50 authorised distribution centres across Delhi.
Delhi-resident women, girls and transgender persons aged five or older can apply using Aadhaar and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
The first card is free; reports differ on the replacement fee, citing either ₹49 or ₹59 including GST, while Metro and RRTS travel requires payment.
- Who
- Delhi-resident women, girls and transgender persons aged five or older who seek free bus travel.
- What
- The paper-based Pink Ticket system is being phased out in favor of Pink Saheli Smart Cards.
- When
- A government notification is expected Friday; officials also announced a 10-day awareness campaign. An earlier announcement cited October 1 for mandatory use.
- Where
- Delhi Transport Corporation and Cluster buses across Delhi.
- Why
- The government is shifting from paper tickets to a smart-card system intended to simplify access to free bus travel.
- Expected requirement
- Pink Saheli Smart Cards may become mandatory for free DTC and Cluster bus travel after a Friday notification.
- Cards issued
- Nearly 19 lakh cards have reportedly been issued.
- Distribution network
- Delhi has 50 authorised centres for issuing the cards.
- Eligibility
- Delhi-resident women, girls and transgender persons aged five or older can apply.
- Required documents
- Applicants need a physical Aadhaar card, an Aadhaar-linked mobile number and verification details.
- Application methods
- Applicants can use offline onboarding at designated centres or register online through MufinPay and collect the card using a QR acknowledgement.
- Cost and validity
- The first card is free. Reports differ on the replacement fee: one cites ₹49, while another cites ₹59 including GST. One report says the card is valid for five years.
- Other transport use
- The card can be used for Delhi Metro and Regional Rapid Transit System services, but those journeys are not free and require a paid balance.
