“The Delhi government has rolled out a free bus ride scheme for women and transgender individuals, replacing the pink ticket system with lifetime smart cards for women. Aimed at promoting equality and reducing financial burdens, the initiative includes a verification process to ensure benefits reach Delhi residents only, potentially saving up to 8% of monthly household income.”
Delhi’s New Free Bus Ride Initiative Targets Women, Transgender Community
The Delhi government has introduced a transformative public transport initiative, offering free bus rides to women and transgender individuals across the capital. Announced in early 2025, the scheme builds on the success of the 2019 free bus ride program for women, which has already benefited over 48 crore passengers and saved households up to 8% of their monthly income, according to official data. The new policy replaces the earlier pink ticket system with a lifetime smart card for women, aimed at enhancing efficiency and curbing misuse.
For women, the smart card system requires proof of Delhi residency, such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card, to ensure benefits are restricted to “genuine Delhiites.” Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized that the verification process will prevent non-residents, particularly from neighboring NCR cities, from availing the scheme. This move is expected to save government funds while maintaining the program’s focus on empowering women through affordable mobility.
The initiative also extends free bus rides to the transgender community, a first-of-its-kind policy in Delhi, announced by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in February 2024. The scheme, which applies to all transgender individuals regardless of residency, aims to promote inclusivity and equal rights. It is set to be implemented within weeks, pending cabinet approval, and will cover all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses.
Since its inception in 2019, the free bus ride scheme for women has cost the Delhi government ₹1,910.79 crore in subsidies, with over 150 crore pink tickets issued. The transition to smart cards is expected to streamline operations and reduce corruption by providing accurate data on ticket issuance. Transport Minister Pankaj Singh highlighted that the smart card system will ensure transparency, addressing issues like conductors issuing multiple tickets for a single journey.
The scheme aligns with Delhi’s broader push for sustainable and accessible public transport. In 2022, the government briefly offered free rides on 150 electric buses to promote greener transport options, equipped with features like CCTV, GPS, and ramps for differently abled passengers. While the free ride scheme continues to encourage public transport use, experts caution that fare reductions alone may not address Delhi’s broader congestion and pollution challenges.
The policy has sparked debates, with the new BJP government signaling a potential overhaul to prioritize Delhi residents. Critics argue that restricting benefits to Delhiites could limit accessibility for women from NCR regions, while supporters believe it will optimize resource allocation. The initiative remains a cornerstone of Delhi’s gender-inclusive mobility efforts, with plans to explore similar benefits for senior citizens and students in the future, depending on the scheme’s outcomes.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from credible sources, including Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, The Hindu, and News18. Information is accurate as of July 3, 2025, based on available data. Readers are advised to verify details through official government announcements for the latest updates.