The Pink Saheli Cards for Free Bus Travel
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Why in News
- Reports show that many transgender persons in Delhi are struggling to get ‘Pink Saheli’ smart cards.
- This problem happens even though the government officially includes them as beneficiaries in the free bus travel scheme.
About The Pink Saheli Cards
- Pink Saheli is a smart card system for free bus travel.
- The Delhi Government launched this scheme in March 2025.
- It is meant for women and transgender persons traveling on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses.
Aim
- The scheme aims to make public transport affordable and easy to reach for women and transgender persons.
- It helps improve their movement and encourages them to take part in economic and social life.
- It provides a clear digital system to give travel subsidies while supporting gender equality.
Key Features
- Eligible women and transgender persons can travel for free on buses run by the Delhi government using the smart card.
- The scheme replaces old paper pink tickets with a digital card that can be used again and is linked to the passenger identity.
- Official guidelines clearly include both women and transgender persons as beneficiaries.
- Getting and using the card requires Aadhaar-Based Verification, which makes managing and checking beneficiaries much easier.
Significance
- The scheme accepts transgender persons as equal receivers of public welfare, which helps social justice and inclusion.
- Free public transport cuts money problems and improves access to schools, jobs, hospitals, and public services.