Delhi CM Reviews Saheli Pink Smart Card Rollout On DTC Bus
The government of Delhi has stepped up efforts to modernise its free bus travel scheme for women, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta personally boarding a city bus to review the implementation of the Saheli Pink Smart Card system.
During the inspection, the chief minister travelled on a bus operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation to evaluate how the new digital card system is functioning in real conditions. The initiative is part of a wider move to replace the earlier paper-based “pink ticket” system used by women to avail free bus rides in the capital. Officials said the Saheli Pink Smart Card is designed as a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)-based solution, allowing women to tap the card on electronic ticketing machines inside buses to validate their free travel. The digital system is expected to improve monitoring, reduce misuse and streamline passenger data collection across the network. The card has been introduced to provide free travel for women and transgender residents on buses run by the Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster bus operators. Beneficiaries aged 12 years and above can use the smart card to access unlimited rides across the city’s public bus network.
Government officials say the digital transition is intended to strengthen transparency and operational efficiency in Delhi’s public transport system. Under the previous system introduced in 2019, women received paper tickets issued by conductors for each journey. While widely used, the mechanism made it difficult to track passenger data accurately and created opportunities for duplication or misuse. Early response to the new initiative suggests steady adoption. In the first phase of the rollout, thousands of cards were distributed through government centres and transport offices across the city. Authorities expect usage to increase gradually as more commuters obtain the cards and the system becomes integrated into daily travel routines.
Officials also highlighted that the smart card system aligns with the national “One Nation, One Card” mobility framework, which aims to create interoperable payment systems across public transport networks. In the future, the card could potentially be integrated with other transit systems such as metro services or regional rapid transit corridors, enabling a more seamless commuting experience. Urban mobility experts note that digital ticketing systems are increasingly becoming central to modern public transport management. Smart cards and electronic validation tools allow transport agencies to collect real-time ridership data, optimise route planning and improve service delivery.
For Delhi, where millions rely on public buses every day, the transition to a smart card-based free travel scheme could significantly enhance operational efficiency while maintaining a key social welfare benefit. As the rollout progresses, authorities will continue monitoring the system’s performance and address operational challenges to ensure that the scheme remains accessible, transparent and reliable for women commuters across the capital.
