Delhi free bus travel: Pink tickets extended for women till Sept 17
Synopsis
Delhi's free bus ride scheme for women is on its second extension — paper pink tickets now valid till 17 September, after which only the Pink Saheli Smart Card works. With over 18 lakh cards issued but the clock ticking, the next fortnight will determine how smooth — or chaotic — the final switchover really is.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi government has extended paper-based pink tickets for women's free bus travel until 17 September .
From 17 September , only the Pink Saheli Smart Card (National Common Mobility Card) will be accepted for free travel on DTC and Cluster buses.
Over 18.13 lakh Pink Saheli Smart Cards have already been issued, according to Delhi government records.
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh confirmed the extension; this is the second deadline extension after an earlier cutoff of 31 August .
The Transport Department has directed field staff to run awareness campaigns through depot, in-bus, social media, and print channels before the final deadline.
The Delhi government has extended the paper-based pink ticket scheme for free bus travel available to women commuters in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Department of Transport (Cluster) buses until 17 September, an official confirmed on Monday, 31 August. The extension buys women passengers more time before the mandatory switchover to the Pink Saheli Smart Card.
What the Extension Covers
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh confirmed the revised deadline, stating: 'The pink tickets available on buses have been extended. The pink ticket, which was supposed to end on 31, has now been extended until September 17, the Prime Minister's birthday. Pink tickets will be available until September 17, after which the pink card will be used.'
This is the second extension announced by the Minister. The first had pushed the cutoff to 31 August, citing the Raksha Bandhan festive season as a reason to ease the transition for women travelling to meet their families.
The Shift to Pink Saheli Smart Card
From 17 September, free bus travel for women will be available exclusively through a valid Pink Saheli Smart Card — also known as the National Common Mobility Card. The Delhi government is moving away from paper-based ticketing because the digital card records journey data and is linked to a woman's Aadhaar card and mobile number, enabling better tracking and accountability.
As of the latest government records, over 18.13 lakh Pink Saheli Smart Cards have already been issued across the city.
Awareness Drive and Field Instructions
The Transport Department has directed Depot Managers, Regional Managers, conductors, and enforcement staff to publicise the revised 17 September deadline widely and encourage eligible women to obtain their cards before that date. Awareness campaigns will run through depot announcements, in-bus messaging, social media, print media, and other channels.
Minister Singh had earlier emphasised that the government's priority is to ensure 'no eligible woman commuter faces any inconvenience during this transition.'
What Happens After September 17
Once the paper ticket window closes, women who have not obtained a Pink Saheli Smart Card will no longer be able to avail the free travel benefit on DTC and Cluster buses. Officials say the card can be obtained at designated transport department centres. With over 18 lakh cards already in circulation, the government appears confident the infrastructure is in place — but the final two-and-a-half weeks will be critical for the remaining eligible commuters who are yet to enrol.
Point of View
Or is the government simply managing optics around festive and symbolic dates? Tying the final deadline to the Prime Minister's birthday is a political choice that could backfire if women commuters — particularly in low-income and elderly categories — are still unable to access enrolment centres in time. The scheme's intent is sound; digital journey records linked to Aadhaar will eventually improve planning and reduce leakage. But repeated deadline shifts signal that ground-level enrolment has not kept pace with card issuance targets. The real metric to watch is not how many cards have been printed, but how many are actively in use by the time the paper ticket window shuts.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Delhi pink ticket scheme for women?
The pink ticket scheme allows women commuters to travel free of cost on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Department of Transport (Cluster) buses using a paper-based pink ticket. The Delhi government is now replacing it with the Pink Saheli Smart Card, a digital National Common Mobility Card linked to Aadhaar.
Until when are pink tickets valid for free bus travel in Delhi?
Paper-based pink tickets are valid until 17 September, following the latest extension announced on 31 August. After that date, only the Pink Saheli Smart Card will be accepted for free travel.
What is the Pink Saheli Smart Card and how is it different from the pink ticket?
The Pink Saheli Smart Card is a digital National Common Mobility Card linked to a woman's Aadhaar card and mobile number. Unlike the paper pink ticket, it records journey data digitally, enabling the government to track ridership and reduce misuse.
How many Pink Saheli Smart Cards have been issued so far?
According to Delhi government records, over 18.13 lakh Pink Saheli Smart Cards have been issued as of the latest update.
What should women commuters do before September 17?
Women who have not yet obtained a Pink Saheli Smart Card should enrol at designated Transport Department centres before 17 September. The department has also directed field staff to run awareness campaigns at bus depots, inside buses, and across social media and print channels to help commuters complete enrolment in time.
