Pink Saheli card mandatory for free bus travel for women: Delhi Transport Corporation

New Delhi ( Sarita tripathi) : The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has said women availing free service on the capital's buses are required to carry their Pink Saheli smart card instead of the existing “pink slip” in order to continue travelling on buses free of cost. The latest circular issued by the DTC gives a timeline of the corporation's decision to ultimately phase out the current paper-based system.

Pink Saheli smart cards now mandatory :

In continuation of the free bus travel policy, it has been decided to gradually phase out the existing paper-based pink ticket and shift to the smart-card based system, the notice says. As per news agency PTI, officials said this transition is meant to enable touch-free travel, maintain digital travel records, and improve transparency in revenue accounting.

Bus conductors have been instructed to continue issuing pink tickets as per the existing practice to passengers up until July 31. Starting from August 1, pink tickets will only be issued to passengers who have the smart card with them at the time of boarding and travel. Those found travelling without the smart card will be required to buy a regular ticket and pay normal fare for their travel August 1 onwards.

What is the Pink Saheli smart card?

The smart card was originally launched by President Droupadi Murmu at a state government event in March in order to allow women and transgender residents of Delhi to travel free of cost in DTC buses. The cards are linked to the beneficiary's Aadhaar and mobile numbers in order to verify their age, gender and Delhi residency.

Subsequently, it may also be used by paying regular fare charges at other modes of public transport such as the Delhi Metro and the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) under the ‘one nation, one card’ initiative.