The Delhi government has announced a major change in its free bus travel scheme for women. The widely used “Pink Ticket Scheme“, which allowed women to travel for free on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, is set to be discontinued. Instead, the government will introduce “Lifetime Smart Cards” exclusively for women residing in Delhi.
Why is the Pink Ticket Scheme being Phased Out?
The pink ticket scheme was launched in 2019 by the previous government to provide free single-journey passes for women on DTC buses. However, the new administration has cited concerns over corruption and misuse of the system, prompting the shift to a Digital Smart Card model.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, stated that the new smart card system aims to eliminate fraudulent practices associated with physical tickets. During the previous government’s tenure, there were allegations of corruption linked to the pink ticket system, which caused significant financial losses to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).
Who will be Eligible for Free Travel?
Under the new system, the pink ticket scheme, which was available to all women commuters, the new “smart card scheme” will be restricted to Delhi residents only. Women who wish to continue availing free bus rides will need to register for the lifetime smart card, which will allow unlimited travel on public buses within the city.
How to Get the Pink Smart Card?
To get a pink card, women will have to give proof of their residence in Delhi and details about how long they have lived in the city. After that, the government will verify this information before issuing the smart card. The pink smart card will function as a replacement for the pink ticket, and through this, women of Delhi can continue enjoying free travel on DTC buses without any hassle. The government claims that with this new pink smart card system, the free bus travel scheme for women will be made more transparent and effective.
With the introduction of new Pink Smart Cards, the Delhi government aims to streamline operations, reduce misuse, and enhance efficiency in the public transport system. The authorities predict free travel reliability for women in the city will improve through the new Pink Smart Card system despite possible onset hurdles experienced by some commuters.