Delhi expands free bus travel scheme to include transgender passengers

The Delhi government has approved a proposal to extend its free bus travel programme to transgender passengers.

Officials said the move brings transgender commuters into a scheme that already allows women to travel without paying fares on the capital’s public buses. The programme applies to services run by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and privately operated cluster buses across the city. 

“This important initiative reflects the Rekha Gupta government’s commitment to social inclusion, dignity, and equal access to public services for all sections of society,” a statement issued by chief minister Rekha Gupta’s office reads.

“The government remains committed to building a more inclusive, equitable and compassionate Delhi” – chief minister Rekha Gupta’s office

“The government remains committed to building a more inclusive, equitable and compassionate Delhi, where every citizen is able to access opportunities and public services with dignity,” the statement continued.

The announcement comes shortly after the launch of the Pink National Common Mobility (PNCM) card, also known as the Pink Saheli Card, which was introduced by president Droupadi Murmu earlier this month. 

Delhi’s new bus ticketing system allows eligible female and transgender residents to travel for free

The card forms part of a wider effort to digitise the capital’s bus ticketing system. It allows eligible female and transgender residents to travel for free on DTC and cluster buses, while also functioning as a mobility card that can be used across other public transport networks, including the Delhi Metro and the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). 

Despite the rollout of the new card system, the government said the existing pink ticket scheme for women will remain in place for now.

Gupta said yesterday (16 March) that free travel for women in public transport buses through the pink ticket will continue for three months and urged them not to worry or rush for having Pink Saheli cards. 

Officials said the ticket system will operate alongside the new cards while distribution centres across the city continue issuing them to eligible passengers. 

The decision comes as transgender rights have been the subject of wider debate in India, with activists recently criticising a proposed amendment to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, which they say could weaken legal protections for the community.