Delhi Women to Need Pink Saheli Smart Card for Free Bus Travel From August 1, 2026

Women travelling on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) Cluster buses will need a Pink Saheli Smart Card to continue availing free bus travel from August 1, 2026. The Delhi Transport Corporation has announced that the existing paper-based pink ticket system will be discontinued in favour of a digital, smart card-based mechanism.

The move is aimed at modernising the free travel scheme for women by shifting to a secure, National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)-enabled system.

Free Bus Travel to Continue Only Through Pink Saheli Smart Card

According to the DTC, women passengers can continue using the existing pink paper tickets until July 31, 2026. After this date, conductors will issue free travel tickets only to women carrying a valid Pink Saheli Smart Card.

To avail the benefit, passengers will have to tap their NCMC-enabled Pink Saheli Smart Card while boarding the bus. The card will serve as proof of eligibility under the Delhi government's free bus travel scheme.

Women who do not possess the smart card from August 1 onwards will no longer be eligible for complimentary travel and will be required to purchase regular bus tickets.

Delhi Government Phasing Out Paper Pink Tickets

The Delhi government introduced the Pink Saheli Smart Card in March 2026 as a digital replacement for the paper-based pink ticket system.

The card is built on the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) platform, which is designed to offer a more secure, transparent and technology-driven ticketing system while reducing dependence on paper tickets.

The transition is expected to improve passenger verification and streamline the administration of the free travel scheme across DTC and Cluster bus services.

What Women Passengers Should Do

Women who regularly use Delhi's public buses should ensure they obtain and activate their Pink Saheli Smart Card before August 1, 2026, to avoid any disruption in their free travel benefits.

Until July 31, conductors will continue issuing pink tickets under the existing process.

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Conclusion

The shift to the Pink Saheli Smart Card marks the next phase of Delhi's free bus travel scheme for women. While the benefit itself remains unchanged, eligibility will now be linked to the NCMC-enabled smart card, making it essential for women commuters to complete the transition before the August 1 deadline.

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