Free Bus Travel for Women in Delhi: BJP Government Launches Lifetime Smart Card, Registration to Begin Soon

The Delhi government, led by the BJP, is set to launch a new initiative aimed at providing free bus rides exclusively to women residing in Delhi. This will be facilitated through the introduction of a 'lifetime' smart card, designed to replace the existing 'pink ticket' system. The registration process for women interested in obtaining this smart card will commence soon, according to officials. This move comes shortly after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta raised concerns in the Assembly about alleged corruption within the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's 'pink ticket' scheme. Gupta criticized the outdated system, asserting, "We are committed to providing this service to women... Corruption will not be tolerated. We will introduce digital travel cards for women, putting an end to the 'pink corruption' tied to physical tickets." She emphasized that the new system would be fully digitized to enhance transparency, efficiency, and reliability in public transportation. The smart card will allow women to travel freely on public buses across Delhi without any limitations on time or routes. It is designed to modernize the existing infrastructure, eliminate manual ticketing issues, and promote seamless access to public transport services. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are clear: only women residing in Delhi will qualify for the lifetime smart card.

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The original 'pink ticket' scheme, launched by the AAP on Bhai Dooj in 2019, had provided free bus rides to women on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses. Women received single-journey passes in the form of pink tickets, with the Delhi government covering the cost—priced at Rs 10 per ticket—and compensating bus operators based on the total number of tickets issued. Although the scheme was voluntary, it significantly increased the number of women using public transport in Delhi. With the BJP’s new administration in place, following their landslide victory in the February 5 Assembly elections, the government aims to revamp this initiative for greater efficiency. The smart card system is expected to roll out within the next two to three weeks. In addition to the smart card project, the Delhi government has allocated a massive Rs 12,952 crore budget for the transport sector. This funding is part of a broader plan to enhance public transportation infrastructure, improve urban mobility, and make Delhi's public transport more accessible, reliable, and globally recognized. This overhaul reflects the government’s commitment to public welfare, aiming to make Delhi’s public transport system not just more inclusive for women, but also more transparent, efficient, and modern for all residents.