# Saheli Pink Card mandatory for free Delhi bus travel from 1 Oct 2026-09-21T18:41:33+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Delhi's Saheli Pink Smart Card will become mandatory for free travel on DTC and Cluster buses from 1 October 2026. The Delhi government has extended the paper-based pink ticket arrangement until 30 September 2026, giving women more time to get the smart card. More than 18.5 lakh cards have been issued so far. Women and transgender residents aged 5 and above can apply using their Aadhaar card and linked mobile number. The first card is free, a replacement costs Rs 59. The card is valid for five years. It can also be used as a mobility card for Delhi Metro and RRTS services, but those trips are not free and require topping up. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The transition from paper tickets to a mandatory smart card brings Delhi's free bus scheme for women in line with the automated fare collection system already used by the Delhi Metro. With 18.5 lakh cards issued against a population of roughly 1.1 crore adult women in Delhi, a significant number still need to apply before the September 2026 deadline. The Delhi Transport Corporation will now need to manage the logistics of issuing cards efficiently, especially at DM and SDM offices, to avoid last-minute rushes or complaints of exclusion. The next milestone to track is whether the government reports a sharp increase in card applications as the deadline approaches. ## Coverage - livemint.com Tags: Aadhaar, Delhi government, Delhi Transport Corporation, Saheli Pink Smart Card Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/saheli-pink-card-mandatory-for-free-delhi-bus-travel-from-1-oct/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/saheli-pink-card-mandatory-for-free-delhi-bus-travel-from-1-oct/#story-in-brief