Pink Saheli cards will replace Delhi’s free bus tickets from September, but Delhi-address rule leaves out many commuters

Paper pink tickets on DTC and cluster buses will continue until August 31, giving commuters two more weeks before the Pink Saheli smart card becomes mandatory in September.

The Aadhaar-linked card, launched in March, provides free bus travel to women and transgender persons. Registration is available at about 50 centres, including DM and SDM offices and selected DTC depots, as well as through the transport portal. The key requirement is an Aadhaar card with a Delhi address; around 18 lakh cards have been issued so far.

For Pooja, a domestic worker from Haryana who travels by DTC bus in central Delhi, that requirement is a barrier despite having worked in the city for years. Delhi University student Antara Abhilasha said students from outside Delhi often live in rented flats or paying-guest accommodation without local address proof.

The card can also be recharged for Metro trips, but its free-travel benefit applies only to buses. Anita Devi, who travels from Gurugram to Delhi for work, said she spends ₹86 a day on Metro fares.