If you’re a woman living in Delhi and using the city’s buses for your daily travel, here’s a big update you shouldn’t miss!

The Delhi government has made major changes to the free bus travel scheme for women. From now on, only women who are residents of Delhi will be able to travel for free in DTC and cluster buses. Plus, the familiar pink paper tickets are being replaced by digital smart cards. This move is aimed at making the system smoother and more transparent.

In this blog, we’ll explain what’s changed, why it happened, who’s eligible now, and how to get your new smart card.

What Was the Free Bus Travel Scheme in Delhi?

The Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women in Delhi was launched on 29 October 2019 by the Arvind Kejriwal-led government. Under this scheme:

Women could travel for free in DTC and cluster buses
Conductors issued pink tickets worth ₹10, which were later reimbursed by the government

The scheme was appreciated widely for improving women’s mobility, safety, and independence across Delhi.

What’s Changing in 2025?

Let’s break down the two major changes:

1. Free Travel Only for Women Living in Delhi

Until now, any woman — regardless of whether she lived in Delhi or not — could travel for free. But now:

Only Delhi residents will be allowed to travel free of cost
Women from outside Delhi will have to pay the bus fare

2. Pink Tickets Are Being Replaced by Smart Cards

The traditional pink paper tickets are being phased out. Instead:

Electronic smart cards will be issued to eligible women
These cards will be scanned on entry, removing the need for conductors to issue tickets

Why These Changes?

The Delhi government says these changes are meant to:

Reduce misuse of the scheme by non-residents
Improve transparency in reimbursements
Modernize public transport with digital ticketing

It’s also part of a larger plan to make bus travel completely cashless and paperless.

Who Will Now Get Free Bus Travel?

Only women who meet all of the following conditions:

Must be a resident of Delhi
Must apply and get a smart card issued by the government
Must travel in DTC or cluster buses only

This means that tourists, visitors, and women from nearby states like Haryana, UP, or Rajasthan will not be eligible for free bus rides.

How to Get the New Free Bus Smart Card

Here’s how Delhi women can apply for the Free Bus Travel Smart Card:

Step 1: Register Online

Visit the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) official website
Look for the section “Women Free Bus Travel Smart Card”
Fill in your name, Aadhaar number, and proof of Delhi address

Step 2: Upload Documents

Aadhaar Card (with Delhi address)
Address proof (Electricity bill, Voter ID, Ration card, etc.)

Step 3: Collect Your Smart Card

After approval, you’ll get a message to collect your smart card
Collection will be from designated DTC counters or local bus depots

Step 4: Use It on the Bus

Tap your smart card on the machine when you enter the bus
You’ll be logged in as a free passenger
No need for a paper ticket anymore

What About Women Without Delhi Address Proof?

This is where things may get tricky.

Women who are living in Delhi temporarily, or those who don’t have documents to prove their residency, might be excluded from the scheme.

However, officials have said that:

“We’re working on ways to allow more flexible address proofs for genuine residents like students or working women who rent rooms.”

So, there may be updates or relaxations soon.

Impact of the New Rules

✔️ Positive:

Will help the government save money on reimbursements
Reduces fake claims and ticket fraud
Promotes a digitized, cashless travel experience

❌ Negative:

Women from border areas who work in Delhi will lose free travel
May cause initial confusion among daily commuters
Those without digital access may find the smart card system difficult to manage

What Are People Saying?

The move has received mixed reactions:

🔹 Delhi residents have welcomed the idea, saying it will reduce crowding by ineligible passengers.
🔹 Non-Delhi women, especially those who work in the city, are disappointed. Some say it’s unfair as Delhi’s transport is used by many from nearby NCR towns.

Conclusion

The Delhi government’s decision to limit free bus travel to local women only, and shift to smart cards instead of pink tickets, is a big step in reshaping public transport policies.

While the idea of going digital and reducing misuse is good, it’s important to ensure that genuine women commuters who really need this help are not left behind due to technicalities.

If you’re a woman living in Delhi, make sure to apply for your free bus travel smart card soon, so you can continue to enjoy hassle-free commutes!

Stay tuned for updates as the implementation rolls out. We’ll keep updating this post as new information comes in.