Delhi women’s free bus ride: paper tickets till Aug 31, smart card from Sep 1

The Delhi government has extended the paper pink ticket system for free bus travel for women on DTC and cluster buses until August 31, 2026. From September 1, 2026, women must use the Pink Saheli smart card to avail free rides. The government earlier pushed back deadlines from August 1 to August 15, and then to September 1.

Over 18.13 lakh Pink Saheli smart cards have been issued so far, according to the transport department. These cards are based on the National Common Mobility Card system, and women can tap the card on ticketing machines for free travel. Without a valid card from September 1, women will have to buy regular bus tickets.

The smart card can also be used for metro and retail transactions, but requires separate balance for those. The government has set up 50 authorised centres to issue the cards and is running awareness campaigns through bus announcements, depots, social media, and print.