Delhi Cabinet Approves Free Bus Travel for Transgender Residents

New Delhi's cabinet approved a proposal on Monday to extend free bus travel benefits to transgender residents, allowing them to ride Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster buses without cost, mirroring the existing scheme for women.

The decision, announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's office, applies to all routes operated by the DTC and the transport department's cluster network. Eligible transgender individuals, who must be Delhi residents and hold a Certificate of Identity issued by a district magistrate under Sections 5 and 6 of the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act 2019, can obtain Pink Saheli smart cards at designated centers. Officials noted that all women and transgender persons with Aadhaar cards in Delhi qualify for these cards. The cards, which include the holder's name and photograph, enable free travel on DTC and cluster buses and offer a 10 percent discount on the Delhi Metro and Rapid Rail.

This initiative builds on the government's free travel program for women, launched earlier this month with the Pink National Common Mobility Card unveiled by President Droupadi Murmu. Over 100,000 Pink Saheli cards have been issued since the rollout, with 50...