OVkaart

The OV-kaart is a personal chip card used for public transport in the Netherlands. It is the successor to the older strip card and is used for travel on trains, buses, trams, and metros operated by various public transport companies. The OV-kaart is linked to a person's identity and can be used for both anonymous and personal travel. An anonymous OV-kaart can be purchased and topped up with credit, while a personal OV-kaart is linked to an individual's name and address and can also be used to store subscriptions and discounts.

To use the OV-kaart, passengers must check in and check out at the start and end of their journey by holding the card against a reader at the station or on the vehicle. The fare is then calculated based on the distance traveled and deducted from the card's balance. If a passenger fails to check out, they may be charged a default fare. The OV-kaart can be recharged online, at ticket machines, or at various service points. It aims to simplify public transport ticketing and provide a more integrated travel experience across different transport providers.