DTC says no free bus service for women in Delhi without Pink Saheli Card

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Friday announced that women would not be allowed to avail free bus service in Delhi without a Pink Saheli Card, starting August 1.

Addressing the issue of pink tickets issued to women passengers and mandatory requirement of Pink Saheli Smart Card, DTC has decided to gradually phase out the existing paper-based pink ticket and shift to the smart card-based system for availing the free travel benefit.

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The Delhi Government launched the Saheli Pink Smart Card in March this year as a modern, digital, and secure NCMC-based smart card that replaces the old pink paper ticket system.

In continuation of the Government of NCT of Delhi's free bus travel facility for women through the Pink Saheli Smart Card on DTC and DoT(Cluster) buses, the authority said conductors shall continue to issue pink tickets to eligible women passengers as per the existing practice, and such tickets shall remain valid for free travel as per the notified scheme until July 31.

"With effect from August 1, pink tickets shall be issued only to those women passengers who are in possession of a valid Pink Saheli Smart Card (NCMC) by tapping the Pink Saheli Smart card at the time of boarding/travel. These passengers will continue to avail the free bus travel facility in terms of the scheme," it added.

Starting August 1, women passengers who do not have a Pink Saheli Smart Card shall not be issued pink tickets and shall be required to purchase normal tickets and pay the applicable fare for travelling in DTC/DoT buses.