No free bus travel for women without Saheli cards from August 1
Delhi will transition to a mandatory 'Pink Saheli Smart Card' for free bus travel for women starting August 1, 2026, phasing out paper tickets. The policy change has faced criticism regarding the exclusion of migrant women and difficulties for transgender commuters.
Why it matters
The shift to digital-only transit subsidies highlights challenges in social welfare implementation and digital inclusion for marginalized groups.
Women commuters in Delhi will not be able to avail free travel in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses from August 1, 2026, without the ‘Saheli Pink National Common Mobility Card’, also known as the Pink Saheli Smart Card, Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said on Friday.
He said paper pink tickets will remain valid only till July 31, after which the smart card will be the sole mode for availing free travel.
The move is likely to exclude several women without a Delhi domicile. Transgender persons, who were initially included in the scheme, have also reported difficulties in obtaining the cards.
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