Delhi Pink Cards To Replace Tickets For Free Bus Rides For Residents
Delhi’s Chief Minister announced on Thursday that the existing pink ticket system for free bus rides will be replaced by new pink cards, exclusively for women residents of Delhi. This significant policy shift aims to streamline the popular scheme, which was initiated by the previous administration and has been continued by the current government since February 2025. The new system promises to enhance transparency in subsidy payments and eliminate the need for repeated ticket collection, marking a pivotal step towards modernizing urban public transport services and ensuring targeted benefits for the city’s population.
The introduction of these pink cards signifies a major change in the eligibility criteria for the free bus travel scheme. Currently, all women, regardless of their state of residence, are permitted free bus rides across Delhi government buses. However, with the new card system, this facility will be strictly limited to bona fide women residents of Delhi, requiring proof of address and Aadhaar linkage during registration to curb misuse. The Chief Minister emphasized that this digital transition would eliminate the need for passengers to obtain physical pink tickets repeatedly. Furthermore, it will enable the government to accurately track the actual number of journeys undertaken, facilitating precise subsidy payments and significantly reducing any potential for corruption or unaccountability within the system, thereby ensuring better fiscal management and public trust in welfare initiatives.
This announcement was made during the foundation stone laying ceremony for a fully automated vehicle testing station at Nand Nagri Depot. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to conduct digital inspections for approximately 72,000 vehicles annually, operating with zero human intervention. This automation aims to make the fitness testing process more transparent, reliable, and technology-driven, contributing to enhanced road safety and promoting a greener, more efficient, and sustainable transport ecosystem across Delhi. The Chief Minister highlighted that the new pink card system, allowing unlimited free bus rides, is part of a broader vision to leverage technology for improved public services. This strategic move aligns with the government’s commitment to not only empower women through accessible transport but also to foster a digitally inclusive and sustainable urban environment, ensuring that public welfare schemes are effectively delivered to the intended beneficiaries.
The shift to pink cards for Delhi’s women residents represents a significant step towards digital governance and targeted welfare. This initiative, coupled with transport infrastructure upgrades, aims to enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and ensure sustainable urban mobility. It reflects the government’s commitment to modern, efficient, and accountable public services for the capital.
