Delhi to replace paper pink tickets with mandatory Pink Saheli smart cards for women commuters
From Friday, Delhi women must use Pink Saheli smart cards for free DTC bus rides, ending the paper pink ticket system.
Starting Friday, the paper-based pink ticket scheme for women on Delhi Transport Corporation buses will be phased out in favor of the Pink Saheli smart card, which will become mandatory for free travel. Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh noted that roughly 19 lakh cards have been issued so far, and a ten-day outreach campaign will inform commuters about the change. The smart card, free on first issuance, is available to women and transgender residents aged five or older, with a ₹59 fee for lost or damaged replacements.
Applicants can obtain the card at 50 authorized centres or via an online self-onboarding process through MufinPay, using Aadhaar and mobile verification. While the card provides free rides on DTC and Cluster buses, it also functions as a mobility card for the Delhi Metro and RRTS, though those services require a prepaid balance. The card remains valid for five years from issuance.
