Tap & travel: Delhi women to use Pink Saheli smart cards for free bus rides

Women travelling free on DTC and cluster buses will need to use Pink Saheli Smart Cards from July as Delhi moves to replace the pink ticket system introduced in 2019 with a digital travel mechanism.(AI image)

Authorities said awareness campaigns will be conducted on buses and at depots over the coming weeks to help commuters understand how to use the pink cards properly.

The Pink Saheli Smart Card system is being integrated with the National Common Mobility Card framework under the Centre’s ‘One Nation, One Card’ initiative to streamline travel and subsidy management.

Officials said only 5% to 6% of pink card holders currently tap their cards while travelling, with many commuters continuing to rely on the old pink ticket system.(AI image)

Around six lakh women commuters have received Pink Saheli Smart Cards from 58 registration centres across Delhi since registrations for the scheme began in March this year. (AI image)

Women commuters availing the free travel facility will have to tap their Pink Saheli Smart Cards while boarding buses so that every journey is digitally recorded in the transport system.(AI image)

The Pink Saheli Smart Card facility is available only to women residing in Delhi. Applicants must submit a Delhi Aadhaar card and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number. (AI image)