Delhi: The national capital is entering the next phase of its women-focused public transport programme as authorities prepare to make the Pink Saheli Smart Card the mandatory mode for accessing free bus travel from 1 August.
The transition marks a broader shift towards digitised fare management while seeking to streamline passenger verification across Delhi’s public bus network. Officials overseeing the initiative have expanded enrolment facilities across the city, with nearly 50 designated registration locations now operational. These include district administration offices, sub-divisional magistrate offices and multiple Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) pass centres, enabling eligible residents to complete registration closer to their neighbourhoods. Women residing in Delhi can apply using Aadhaar-based identity verification and a registered mobile number. The card is being issued without any application fee. Beyond maintaining eligibility for complimentary travel on government-operated buses, the Pink Saheli Smart Card has been designed as a multi-purpose mobility instrument that can also be recharged for use on the Delhi Metro network, reducing dependence on separate ticketing systems.
Transport planners view the migration towards smart-card-based travel as part of a wider effort to modernise urban mobility services. Digital fare systems can improve passenger data accuracy, reduce paper-based transactions and support better planning of routes based on travel demand. Reliable mobility data also helps authorities assess service gaps, particularly in areas where women rely heavily on public transport for education, employment and healthcare access. The registration network covers every major district of Delhi through Deputy Commissioner offices, alongside SDM offices in locations such as Dwarka, Mehrauli, Bawana, Badarpur, Delhi Cantonment, Adarsh Nagar and Yamuna Vihar. Additional enrolment points have been established at DTC facilities including Kashmere Gate, Nehru Place, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, Shahdara, Lajpat Nagar, Wazirpur, Uttam Nagar, Delhi Gate and several university-linked centres, creating wider geographical coverage across the capital.
Urban mobility experts note that while digital ticketing offers operational efficiencies, its long-term success depends on ensuring equitable access. Awareness campaigns, adequate staffing at registration centres and support for first-time digital users will be critical to preventing eligible commuters from losing access to essential transport services during the transition period. The move also aligns with broader efforts to build integrated public transport systems where buses and metro services function through interoperable payment platforms. Such integration can encourage greater use of public transport, reduce dependence on private vehicles and contribute to lower urban emissions, supporting Delhi’s wider sustainability and mobility objectives. With the implementation date approaching, authorities are urging remaining eligible commuters to complete registration at the designated centres to ensure uninterrupted access to the city’s subsidised public transport network.
