Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Pink Saheli Smart Card Deadline Extended Through September 17
The government is changing free bus travel for women from paper tickets to smart cards.
Women can still use the old pink paper tickets until September 17.
Starting September 18, they will need a Pink Saheli Smart Card.
The card is meant to check eligibility digitally.
Nearly 19 lakh women have already registered or applied.
Registration will still be available after the deadline.
Officials extended the paper-ticket period because many people may travel during the festive season.
Women are being asked to register as soon as possible.
Women can use paper pink tickets for free bus travel through September 17.
The Pink Saheli Smart Card becomes mandatory for the scheme from September 18.
The extension aims to prevent inconvenience during the festive season and increased travel demand.
Nearly 19 lakh women have registered for or applied for the smart card.
Registration and card issuance will continue after September 17 at designated facilities and bus depots.
- Who
- The Delhi government, Transport Department, women bus commuters, and Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh.
- What
- The government extended the validity of paper pink tickets for women’s free bus travel and delayed mandatory use of the Pink Saheli Smart Card.
- When
- Paper tickets remain valid through September 17; the smart card becomes mandatory from September 18.
- Where
- At bus services, designated registration facilities, and bus depots in Delhi.
- Why
- To ensure a smoother transition and avoid inconvenience during the festive season, when travel demand is expected to rise.
- Paper-ticket validity
- Paper pink tickets remain valid through September 17.
- Mandatory smart-card date
- Women must use the Pink Saheli Smart Card from September 18 to receive free travel.
- Registrations and applications
- Nearly 19 lakh women have registered for or applied for the card.
- Post-deadline registration
- Registration and card issuance will continue after September 17.
- Registration locations
- Eligible women can register at designated facilities and bus depots.
- Card platform
- The Pink Saheli Smart Card is based on the National Common Mobility Card platform.
- Previous delays
- The mandatory rollout had earlier been deferred from August 1 to August 16.