'Pink tickets valid': DTC amid Saheli cards rush

With the distribution of the pink Saheli cards — meant to replace the pink tickets currently used by women to travel for free on Delhi buses — descending into chaos in several centres, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) on Friday assured women that they can continue to use the pink paper tickets on DTC buses.

- Gargi Shukla

In a statement issued on Friday, the DTC clarified that the existing paper ticket will not be discontinued until a significant number of eligible women beneficiaries convert to the pink smart cards.

“Women commuters are advised not to worry or rush, as the pink Saheli cards distribution will continue smoothly over time...women can continue to travel on DTC buses using the existing pink paper tickets..once it is assessed that most eligible women have received the smart card, the government will gradually replace the existing paper ticket system,” the DTC said in a statement.

No cutoff date has been announced for discontinuing paper tickets. The smart card can be used by women to travel on all DTC and cluster buses, and they can get these cards recharged at Delhi Metro and RRTS stations.

The pink Saheli cards were launched by the Delhi government on March 2 and their distribution began on March 3 through 50 designated DTC centres, which operate from 9am to 5pm daily, including weekends. The new QR code-based card is set to replace the existing paper tickets. However, chaos unfolded

at most centres as more women turned up to get their cards made after the Holi break.