New Pink Saheli Card Rules: Delhi Pink Ticket Deadline Extended Again: Women Can Use Paper Tickets Till Aug 31

The Delhi government has once again extended the paper-based pink ticket facility for women travelling on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Cluster buses until August 31st

Post the latest extension, the women passengers can continue to get free bus travel using paper-based pink tickets, instead of being required to carry the new Pink Saheli smart card immediately.

This was announced on Saturday, August 15 via an official order, just a day before the Pink Saheli smart card was scheduled to become mandatory.

It is also the second extension of the deadline. The government had originally planned to discontinue paper-based pink tickets from August 1 and make the Pink Saheli Smart Card the mandatory mode for getting free bus travel from August 16 after the first extension.

Paper Pink Tickets Extended Till August 31

As per the latest order, eligible women passengers can continue receiving paper-based pink tickets while travelling on DTC and Cluster buses until August 31.

The government has also asked officials to create public awareness during the extended time slot. Information about the new system will be communicated through depot announcements, in-bus announcements, social media, print media and other channels so that more eligible women are able to get the Pink Saheli smart card before the paper-ticket system is phased out.

According to official data, around 18 lakh Pink Saheli smart cards have been distributed across Delhi so far.

The government wants to increase the number of cardholders further before making the smart card the only way to access the free travel benefit.

The Pink Saheli card is based on the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) system and is intended to allow eligible women to tap the card on the electronic ticketing machine while boarding a bus.

What Happens After August 31?

Once the smart-card system becomes mandatory, eligible women passengers will need to carry a valid Pink Saheli Smart Card and tap it on the Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM) while boarding a DTC or Cluster bus.

The card tap will let the passenger claim the free travel benefit under the scheme.

Women who do not have a valid Pink Saheli card after the paper-ticket facility ends may have to purchase a regular bus ticket at the applicable fare.