What is the OV-chipkaart (PT Smart Card)?
The OV-chipkaart (PT Smart Card) is the new way to pay for public transport. Not just in Amsterdam, but everywhere in the Netherlands, you will soon be able to travel using just one card, whether it is in the train, bus, tram or metro.
The OV-chipkaart is the size of a credit card and has a built-in chip. You can reload this as often as you like, with a balance in euros or with a season ticket. Somewehere in 2010 in Amsterdam you will only be able to use the OV-chipkaart to pay for public transport.
The big advantage of the new OV-chipkaart is that in the end you will need only one card for all public transport anywhere in the Netherlands. That makes it so convenient! Here is a list of the advantages of the OV-chipkaart.
Convenient
The OV-chipkaart will be the only way to pay for public transport in the Netherlands. So you will not need separate train tickets, strip tickets, public transport identity cards or money-off tickets. No need to take your OV-chipkaart out of your bag, coat or purse. Card readers will be able to read your card from a short distance away. This means that many people can get in and out in a short time. Your OV-chipkaart means you do not need to bother any more about how many zones your journey takes you through.
The system calculates the correct fare automatically. You can decide to have the e-purse - the balance - on your OV-chipkaart automatically reloaded. This means that your e-purse will always be sufficient to travel and you won't need to have to queue at the ticket office or a machine.
Secure
Aggression on public transport is often linked to fare evasion. The OV-chipkaart makes fare evasion a bit more difficult. Gates will be put at up at all metro and train stations. You can only go through these with a OV-chipkaart with a sufficient e-purse or with a valid travel product. That means security on public transport will only get better.