Delhi to Replace Pink Tickets with Aadhaar-Linked Pink Pass for Women’s Free Bus Rides

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The Delhi government has announced a major shift in its free bus travel scheme for women, replacing the widely used pink ticket system with an Aadhaar-linked Pink Pass to limit the benefit to Delhi residents only. The move is aimed at addressing alleged misuse and improving accountability in the public transport subsidy program.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed the transition, stating in an NDTV report, “Very soon, we will replace the pink ticket with a Pink Pass for free bus travel for women in Delhi. This benefit will be limited to Delhi residents only.”

The new pass will be applicable to both Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses. In addition to women, transgender individuals residing in Delhi will also be eligible. The application process will require applicants to submit Aadhaar, Permanent Account Number (PAN), proof of residence, a passport-size photo, and complete Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation.

Transport Minister Pankaj Singh stated that preparations are underway: “We are finalising the digital and administrative framework for the Pink Pass,” adding that Aadhaar will serve as the primary document for verifying eligibility.

The pink ticket scheme, launched in 2019, has benefited lakhs of women across Delhi. However, the open-access model has come under scrutiny in recent months. Officials have cited cases of non-residents availing the benefit, inflated ticket counts, and discrepancies in ridership data, which raised concerns over revenue leakages and corruption.

No official rollout date has been announced, but authorities have indicated that the new Pink Pass system will be implemented in phases. The government is expected to release further details regarding the application process, issuance centers, and deadlines in the coming weeks.

Until the new system is in place, the existing pink tickets will remain valid for eligible passengers.