The Delhi government has announced that its free bus travel scheme for women will now be available only to those who reside in the city. To implement this change, the transport department will introduce a ‘lifetime’ smart card, ensuring that only eligible women can benefit from the initiative.
Smart Card Registration to Begin Soon
The registration process for the new smart card is set to commence in the coming weeks. This move comes in response to concerns raised by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta regarding corruption in the existing ‘pink ticket’ system, which was introduced by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
“We are committed to providing this service to women, but corruption will not be tolerated,” Gupta stated. “The introduction of digital travel cards will eliminate the misuse associated with physical tickets.” She added that the card would allow women to travel on public buses at any time, and the ticketing system would be fully digitized for better transparency and efficiency.
Gupta also outlined plans to modernize Delhi’s public transport system. “Our goal is to make Delhi’s public transport more accessible, reliable, and globally recognized,” she said during the Budget Session of the Assembly.
Transition from Pink Tickets to Smart Cards
The pink ticket scheme, launched by the AAP government in 2019 on Bhai Dooj, enabled women to travel for free on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses. Under this system, women received pink tickets for single journeys, and the government reimbursed bus operators based on the number of tickets issued.
Following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the February 5 Assembly elections, marking its return to power in Delhi after 26 years, the new administration has decided to replace the pink ticket system with digital smart cards to enhance efficiency and curb misuse.
Eligibility and Implementation of the Smart Card
The smart card will be issued exclusively to women who are residents of Delhi, ensuring they can avail of the free travel benefit without restrictions. Officials have confirmed that the initiative will be launched within the next two to three weeks.
Increased Budget for Public Transport
During the presentation of the Rs 1 lakh crore Delhi Budget for 2025-26 on March 25, Gupta, who also holds the finance portfolio, allocated Rs 12,952 crore for the capital’s public transport system. This represents a substantial increase from the previous year’s allocation of Rs 9,337 crore, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving the city’s transport infrastructure.
