So what is the story of OV-Chipkaart?

[jwall162]

The card is valid on most of the public transport throughout the country. However to use it on the train you must keep a minimum value of 20 on the card or it will not allow you to check in. You must also activate the card for use on the train at the service desk.
As for the GVB passed, they are only good for the tram, metro and GVB buses in Amsterdam. Depending upon your length of stay and how often you plan to use public transit, the pass may work out as a better value. http://en.gvb.nl/ovinmamsterdam/Pages/bestdeal.aspx And then simply purchase paper tickets for use on the train, fare and schedule information can be found here http://www.ns.nl/en

Thanks for the info; but I will be primarily in the Centrum w/ a trip out to Jordaan & maybe one day trip to Haarlem. and I like the idea of "KISS" (keep it simple stupid).

day trip out to the Jordaan ffs , you can walk to there , the Jordaan isnt another city it is still Amsterdam, matter of fact im staying in the Jordaan this april, and i can see centraal station from my apartment

Yes in my younger years I would not even worried about the the amount of junk I must carry with me. But since my stroke in November 2008; it has change a lot of things in my life, one is walking "thank the lord" I can now walk, with out constant support; short distance under 400 / 1,000 meter. but after that I take a cane with me just for safety. So with that in mind I am looking for way to get around with out walking too much ( other then Taxis). and I need to talk to you how you find your apartments.

[Lamont]

Another vote for the Anonymous OV Chipkaart. Bought one a couple trips ago and they are good for five years. And as already mentioned they make a fun souvenir.

[Nimrod]

I like to keep the sticky part of a post-it note on my card, to record bus 197 fares and card balances when coming and going.

You might be able to check your balance online, with the card ID#.

[Balou]

You might be able to check your balance online, with the card ID#.

Indeed you can.

[Lamont]

You might be able to check your balance online, with the card ID#.

Indeed you can.

Can you do that even with the anonymous chipkaart? I thought you could only do that on the personalized one....

[Balou]

You might be able to check your balance online, with the card ID#.

Indeed you can.

Can you do that even with the anonymous chipkaart? I thought you could only do that on the personalized one....

You can do it with the anon as well.

[Lamont]

Cool thanks Balou!

[Nimrod]

From the GVB site...

Distinct sound difference between checking in and out

As of 3 July, the sounds will change for the OV-chipkaart reader in the tram, bus, and metro. There will be a difference between checking in and out, the error tone is different, and the sound will be somewhat louder. The request to change the sounds came from passengers, consumer organizations, and GVB employees.

Clearer
The changes will ensure that passengers, and particularly those with a visual handicap, and the driver and conductor will clearly be able to hear whether the check in or out was successful or not.The sounds are the same as for the NS card readers. A single tone for checking in, two for checking out, and three for the error tone.

More info shown on the displays 
The info on the display will also be changed as of 3 July. Previously, the fare was only shown when checking out when traveling on a balance or the remaining balance when traveling outside the zone. This is now the case for every travel product on a personal or anonymous card. 

http://en.gvb.nl/reisinformatie/reizenm ... idjes.aspx

[Pala]

That change is quite handy. Thanks for the info.

[DaveS]

+1

I think I'll go mad and have a 48 hr pass this next trip... My knees have been giving me a lot of problems lately (torn meniscus) and the ability to jump on a tram and get pretty much anywhere I want in a very short space of time is a pleasure I only really fully explored on my last trip...

Now I won't be wondering what the hell happened to the tones on the tram when I check out!!!

Nice one.

[Nimrod]

My latest experience with the ov-chipkaart.

Since my card is due to expire 01May 2015, and since my plans don't include a visit to A'dam before then, I thought that it might be a good idea to set things up correctly for my next visit by getting a new card.
Last day in town, I visit the cream-colored GVB office and take a number. I'm seen by the woman at counter 6, who makes it seem like all is good when I ask if my current card balance can be transferred to a new card. Of course, GVB makes you pay not only the €7,50 for a new card, but you now must pay an additional €5 which goes on your card balance. WTF.
Well, the GVB immediately screws me. First time I use the card, I ride from CS to Leidseplein. Check in is OK, but upon check out, my balance reads €1,02-. WTF. Take care of my business and ride the tram back to CS to find out what's up. Fucking red lights and razzy sounds when I check out. No balance. Arrrgh.
Don't even take a number and inquire at an idle counter 6 about what's going on with my new card. Blah blah blah about me not checking out and being charged €4. Fucking REALLY?!? Been doing this for years. How hard is it to check in/out? Assured all is well with my card, I get on a CS tram to find out. Get off after one stop, and balance looks good upon check out. Don't think I used it for the rest of the day.
Leaving the next day, I check in on the tram OK, but not a good check out. Fuck me. Try checking in on the airport bus, and it gives me the razz. Bus driver calls me on it, but I push back and he doesn't care and let's me on. Bad check out, so who the fuck knows if my new card is any good at all. I'll eventually check the balance online, but I have little faith in this actually working OK next time around. Hopefully a nice long rest resets it.
Steer clear of thinking and counters numbered six.