Rotterdam is Launch Pad for Dutch Smart Card

This article describes a public transportation smart card, the OV-Chipkaart, that is being implemented in Rotterdam for use on the Rotterdam Transport Authority (RET), the Netherlands Railways (NS), and the regional bus operator Connexxion. The smart card can be used on mainline and metro trains, trams, and buses. The author describes Trans Link Systems (TLS), the joint venture behind the project. TLS links the transportation partners with the municipal transport authorities in Amsterdam (GVB) and The Hague (HTM). Trials with the new system started in spring 2005 in Rotterdam. By making a choice before the start of a train journey, the passenger will also retain the possibility of purchasing the current range of single, return, and season tickets, as all can be stored electronically on the smart card. The smart card is contactless, but the detection distance is restricted to 100mm to prevent false charges. Agreements have yet to be reached on exactly how transfers between services of different transport authorities will be handled. RET and Connexxion are ready, but NS still has much work to do because its fare structure is more complicated with various reductions and separate rates for senior citizens, bicycles, and dogs. The author describes the current zone divisions used in the transport system, noting that the smart card system will be based on journey length rather than zones. The author describes how the remaining components of the project will be implemented, the physical ticketing equipment and where it will be placed, how international passengers will be handled, and cost considerations. The author concludes that the 18-month anticipated implementation period was overly optimistic, but that the Netherlands are still moving ahead fast on use of the smart card technology.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07445326
• Authors:
  • Badcock, Peter
• Publication Date: 2006-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 15-17
• Serial:
  • International Railway Journal
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0744-5326

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Districts and authorities; Fares; Partnerships; Passenger cars; Passenger trains; Smart cards; Subways; Ticketing; Urban transportation
• Identifier Terms: Connexxion; Nederlandse Spoorwegen; Rotterdam Transport Authority
• Uncontrolled Terms: Electronic ticketing; Fare structure
• Geographic Terms: Amsterdam (Netherlands); Hague (Netherlands); Rotterdam (Netherlands)
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Environment; Finance; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; Railroads; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01036330
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 27 2006 8:15AM