Delhi Government to Launch 'Saheli Smart Cards' for Free Bus Travel for Women and Transgenders from July 2025.
Goverment Scheme
In a major upgrade to Delhi’s public transport system, the Delhi Government will launch the 'Saheli Smart Cards' in July 2025. This initiative replaces the existing pink ticket system, enabling free bus travel for women and transgender persons who are verified residents of Delhi, while ensuring digital authentication and streamlined operations.
- The 'Saheli Smart Card' initiative is being implemented by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) under the framework of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC). The smart card system seeks to digitize the free travel scheme, which was initially launched by the Delhi Government in 2019 for women and later extended to transgender persons.
- Only bona fide Delhi residents aged 12 years and above will be eligible to apply for the Saheli Smart Card. Applicants must submit valid proof of residence and other necessary documents. The eligibility will be verified through the Know Your Customer (KYC) process, ensuring that benefits are not misused.
- The Saheli Smart Card will be issued by authorized banks and will need to be activated via DTC’s Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS). The card supports top-up and recharge features and is intended to work not just for free travel on DTC and Cluster buses but also on paid services such as Delhi Metro.
Main Point :- (i) Two categories of cards will be offered: (i) Non-KYC Cards, issued using address proof, usable on DTC buses and Delhi Metro; and (ii) KYC-Compliant Cards, which will include a user's name and photograph, allowing contactless payment on multiple public transport systems. This will help promote multimodal smart transport access.
(ii) This scheme supports the Delhi Government’s broader objective to enable inclusive, cashless, and safe travel for women and transgenders. It also aligns with the goals of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under the Smart Mobility Initiative and Digital India Programme.
(iii) The smart card rollout is expected to boost participation of marginalized groups in the public sphere, reduce manual interventions, and bring accountability to subsidy distribution. It further strengthens Delhi’s ongoing mobility reforms, which include electric buses, women-only marshals, and real-time bus tracking through mobile apps.
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