how the HELL do trams work????

CHELSEA_SMOKERS_SOCIETY · Mon 14th Jul 2008 11:04 pm

hey im sorry if this has been asked before, and im also sorry if this is the stupidest question ever.

but in the 7 years ive been goign to the dam, i still havnt a clue about the trams when it comes to paying.

sometimes, the trams have a man in a booth. this is ok. i understand the procedure of asking to go somewhere and pay him. i even realise that there is a bell/stamp thing, which i use if i already have a ticket with an empty space on it.

however....

half the trams dont have a man in a booth. i get on, and turn around (looking like a stoned tourist), looking for some sort of ticket machine. there isnt one. so i just sit or stand, and dont pay. is this right??????

i litterally must half only paid for 25% of the tram rides ive had there. is this normal? or have i just been incredably lucky not to get caught by a ticket inspector.

Kermit · Post by **Kermit** » Mon 14th Jul 2008 11:22 pm

I always get a pass for the time i am there but they dont get checked very often.

I have only used the number 4 tram and never seen a booth all the
others i have been on seem to have them or i think you see the driver.

Dont know what happens if you get caught without a ticket though. Probably a fine of E50 or something. whatever the fine its money best spent on bud

Boner · Post by **Boner** » Mon 14th Jul 2008 11:52 pm

Buy a strippenkart and get on at the front tell the driver where you are going and he'll stamp it, you can also buy a 24,48,72,96 hour pass that lets you travel all over Amsterdam using the trams, metro and buses, you can also get a season pass which needs a passport sized photo.

geoffk · Post by **geoffk** » Tue 15th Jul 2008 12:08 am

If you buy a day or multi day pass no worrying about stamping I've been told. I used the trams for the first time last trip. I bought a strippenkaart at Schipol, hopped on the back of the tram and saw a yellow box. I folded over one strip and slid the strippenkaart into the box and got stamped. Good for one hour. I saw one booth, walked over and handed it to the guy and he stamped it. Pretty easy.

courtjester · Post by **courtjester** » Tue 15th Jul 2008 04:15 pm

Boner, that's interesting, I knew the 96-hour pass is a new development, but never have heard anything about a season pass. Any info on cost?

I've used the 72-hour passes before, on days when I knew I wanted to get around different parts of town, and they are wonderful. Many hotel lobbies and any VVV outlet will sell them.

itsmymagicallife · Post by **itsmymagicallife** » Tue 15th Jul 2008 05:17 pm

courtjester wrote:Boner, that's interesting, I knew the 96-hour pass is a new development, but never have heard anything about a season pass. Any info on cost?

Here's info on costs for monthly & yearly passes:
http://www.gvb.nl/english/travellers/ti ... icket.aspx

NirvanaEJ · Post by **NirvanaEJ** » Tue 15th Jul 2008 05:31 pm

the 1,2,3, or 4 day passes are totally worth it, dont have to worry about stamping or accidental fines...

aaron · Post by **aaron** » Tue 15th Jul 2008 06:04 pm

If your using a strippenkaart then you should board the tram either at the front or the back (although see what the locals do, maybe some board in the middle too). if you go at the front the driver will stamp your strippenkaart)

If you board at the back and theres no no man/woman in the booth, there should be a small box mounted near the door with a slot in it, just fold your strippenkaart along the top of the next useable strip and pop it into the machine, which will stamp it for you.

Most short journeys use 2 strips, so you miss one then stamp one. longer journeys may use more.

Your stamp allows travel for a certain period of time from the time of the stamp, for instance 2 strips allows travel within that zone for an hour, so if you change trams or take another tram within an hour just show your strippenkaart to the driver. longer journeys = longer time. The time will be displayed on the stamp.

That came out a lot longer than I thought it would, I hope it helps and I hope it makes sense

same applies for busses

Kermit · Post by **Kermit** » Tue 15th Jul 2008 09:30 pm

NirvanaEJ wrote:the 1,2,3, or 4 day passes are totally worth it, dont have to worry about stamping or accidental fines...

I agree especially when wrecked as i can barely get on the thing let alone mess with strippenkaart and get it stamped!
I also use the trams all day until the finish to get everywhere so a pass is deffo much easier.

Fat Freddie · Post by **Fat Freddie** » Wed 16th Jul 2008 09:47 am

aaron wrote:If your using a strippenkaart then you should board the tram either at the front or the back (although see what the locals do, maybe some board in the middle too). if you go at the front the driver will stamp your strippenkaart)

If you board at the back and theres no no man/woman in the booth, there should be a small box mounted near the door with a slot in it, just fold your strippenkaart along the top of the next useable strip and pop it into the machine, which will stamp it for you.

Most short journeys use 2 strips, so you miss one then stamp one. longer journeys may use more.

Your stamp allows travel for a certain period of time from the time of the stamp, for instance 2 strips allows travel within that zone for an hour, so if you change trams or take another tram within an hour just show your strippenkaart to the driver. longer journeys = longer time. The time will be displayed on the stamp.

That came out a lot longer than I thought it would, I hope it helps and I hope it makes sense

same applies for busses

Thanks for explaining that as I wondered how to use those machines with the strippenkaart.
Last trip we had some good tram staff including one singing some reggae and another who refused to take any money/strippenkaarts for the first few stops from any passengers.

FF

courtjester · Post by **courtjester** » Wed 16th Jul 2008 01:07 pm

itsmymagicallife wrote:
courtjester wrote:Boner, that's interesting, I knew the 96-hour pass is a new development, but never have heard anything about a season pass. Any info on cost?
Here's info on costs for monthly & yearly passes:
http://www.gvb.nl/english/travellers/ti ... icket.aspx

Thanks!

smogzy · Post by **smogzy** » Mon 4th Aug 2008 09:59 pm

aaron wrote: Your stamp allows travel for a certain period of time from the time of the stamp, for instance 2 strips allows travel within that zone for an hour, so if you change trams or take another tram within an hour just show your strippenkaart to the driver. longer journeys = longer time. The time will be displayed on the stamp.

Now that explains why sometimes I get my strippenkart stamped and sometimes I dont. And there was me thinking the driver was being nice and letting me off the fare every now and then

BigRigRob · Post by **BigRigRob** » Mon 4th Aug 2008 11:15 pm

Can you pick up a 4 day pass at Central?
( Station, not C/S )