# New Rules for Free Bus Travel for Women in Delhi: Pink Saheli Smart Card Made Mandatory > The Delhi government has introduced major changes to the free bus travel scheme for women, replacing paper tickets with the Pink Saheli Smart Card starting August 1, which will also work on metro and RRTS networks. **Type:** article · **Category:** Business · **Published:** 2026-07-27 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/business/delhi-men-mahilaon-ki-muphta-basa-yatra-ke-niyamon-men-badalava-aba-pink-saheli-smart-card-dikhana-hoga-jaruri-10897 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Delhi bus travel, Pink Saheli Smart Card, Rekha Gupta government, DTC buses, Delhi Metro, Namo Bharat RRTS Public transport commuters in Delhi are facing a major overhaul in how women access free bus rides across the city. The administration led by Rekha Gupta has introduced strict rules for female passengers using DTC and cluster buses, making the possession and tapping of a dedicated transit card compulsory starting August 1. The conventional paper pink slips distributed on buses until now will be completely discontinued after July 31. Moving forward, women wishing to avail themselves of the free travel scheme must carry a valid Pink Saheli Smart Card and tap it on the onboard electronic validator machine every time they board a bus. A standout feature of this new card is its multi-utility design, allowing it to function seamlessly on the Delhi Metro and the Namo Bharat RRTS commuter rail networks as well. According to the Delhi Transport Corporation, paper pink tickets will remain in circulation only until July 31. From August 1 onward, only those women possessing an active Pink Saheli Smart Card will be permitted to travel without paying a fare. Passengers who fail to present the card upon boarding will be required to purchase a normal ticket at standard rates. Transport authorities note that this digital transition aims to streamline operations and ensure better accountability within the city bus network. ## Who Is Eligible for the Pink Saheli Smart Card? The travel scheme is structured to benefit all females and transgender citizens residing in the capital. According to guidelines, any girl, woman, or transgender individual aged 5 years or older living in Delhi qualifies for the card. There are no income criteria or salary caps attached to the application process. However, a mandatory requirement is that the applicant's Aadhaar card must reflect a residential address located strictly within Delhi. Aadhaar cards issued from neighboring NCR localities such as Noida, Ghaziabad, or Gurugram will not be accepted. ## How to Apply and Obtain the Card Eligible residents can secure their Pink Saheli Smart Card from over 50 authorized issuance centers established across the capital. These designated locations include various DTC depots, Sub-Divisional Magistrate offices, and specially organized registration camps. Applicants are required to carry an Aadhaar card featuring a Delhi address, a mobile phone linked to that Aadhaar number, and passport-sized photographs at select locations. Once biometric verification or an Aadhaar-based OTP authentication is successfully completed, the card is issued instantly. Furthermore, several centers have introduced QR code scanning systems that let visitors obtain online tokens in advance, effectively cutting down waiting times and long queues. ## Compatibility With Metro and Regional Rail Built upon the National Common Mobility Card framework, the Pink Saheli Smart Card offers dual utility. While bus travel under the women's welfare scheme remains completely free and requires zero card balance, passengers intending to use the card for journeys on the Delhi Metro or Namo Bharat RRTS networks will need to top up the card with monetary funds. This integration grants commuters the convenience of utilizing a single card for complimentary bus rides alongside cashless ticketing for high-speed transit networks. ## Urgent Appeal to Complete Registration Transport officials and the Delhi administration have strongly urged all women commuters to complete their registration and acquire the Pink Saheli Smart Card well before the August 1 deadline. Securing the card early will guarantee uninterrupted access to the free bus transit initiative and simplify daily commuting across urban transit systems. Authorities continue to expand public transit infrastructure concurrently. ## What this means for you - **Across India:** The adoption of National Common Mobility Card standards for public transit continues to expand rapidly. - **In Delhi:** Women must obtain and tap a Pink Saheli Smart Card starting August 1 to continue enjoying free bus rides. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. When does the Pink Saheli Smart Card become mandatory? The card becomes mandatory for free bus travel across DTC and cluster buses in Delhi starting August 1. ### 2. Will paper tickets still be issued after the deadline? No, the traditional paper pink ticket system will be completely discontinued after July 31. ### 3. Who is eligible to get this smart card? All females and transgender individuals aged 5 years and older residing in Delhi are eligible for the card. ### 4. Are Aadhaar cards from other NCR cities accepted? No, Aadhaar cards issued from Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, or other NCR regions are not valid for this scheme. ### 5. Can this card be used on the Delhi Metro as well? Yes, the card works on both the Delhi Metro and Namo Bharat RRTS networks, though a monetary top-up is required for those services. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._