The title of this post is a bit misleading. But stay with me.

For as long as I've been kicking around in the Netherlands (several years) there has always been the strippenkaart system. One long paper card with 16 or so strips each corresponding with one zone and when you get on either a conductor stamps it or you find the yellow punch box and stick the card in according to how many zones you are going... boom.. stamped. Its a simple system and pretty good in my opinion, especially when you consider it works the same way with the same card throughout the country. Impressive.

But that wasn't enough. In keeping with the high tech trends of the western world, national public transport has slowly introduced a plastic card-chip system. No more paper. No more stamps. You acquire one of these cards starting with say, 5 euros on it. Then you swipe the card on the scanner when you get on public transport, that is called "checking in" or "inchecken". Then when you've reading your destination you "check out" or "uitchecken". (i think thats what the machine says, i should pay more attention next time) When checking out it calculates how many zones you've gone and how much to charge you and what is left on your card. Neat system and very fast, but I am wondering how it works if you get on with a card thats almost empty and you go too many zones. I suppose your checking out swipe gets a buzzing red light. I'll find out eventually I'm sure.

So make a note, when you're running around the Netherlands and using public transport, you too can buy a anonymous OV chip kaart at one of the big blue machines, then just look for the little card swiper, usually located right next to the conductor or at the entrance of the metro. Enjoy yet another taste of high tech Dutch ways.