strippenkolom

A strippenkolom, a Dutch term, translates to "strip column" or "card column." It refers to a specific type of physical payment system or ticketing method that was once prevalent in various public services and transportation systems. The system involved pre-purchased strips of paper, each containing a set number of "strips" or segments.

When using a service, such as boarding a bus or using a public toilet, a user would present their strip to an attendant or insert it into a machine. The attendant or machine would then detach or punch out one or more strips from the paper, indicating payment or usage. Each detached strip represented a unit of service.

The strippenkolom system was particularly popular in the Netherlands for public transport in the latter half of the 20th century. It offered a convenient way for passengers to pay for rides without needing exact change and allowed for flexible travel options, as different zones or travel durations might require a different number of strips to be detached.

Over time, the strippenkolom has largely been replaced by more modern and automated payment systems, such as contactless payment cards, mobile ticketing apps, and chip cards. These newer technologies offer greater efficiency, security, and ease of use, making the traditional strippenkolom system largely obsolete in most contexts today. However, the concept remains a notable part of the history of public service payment methods.