No problems with train ticket switch

By Zack Newmark on July 9, 2014 - 12:29
papertickets
Paper train tickets are at an end in the Netherlands (Theo van der Heijden/Twitter). (Paper train tickets are at an end in the Netherlands (Theo van der Heijden/Twitter))

Wednesday marked the end of paper tickets on trains in the Netherlands, and so far there have been few problems, the NS said. Instead of buying single-use paper tickets, train passengers can instead buy single-use OV chip cards, though they are not sold in every machine at train stations.

Alternatively, customers are also able to buy a reusable, anonymous OV chip card from the machines. Other machines at the train stations are only available for recharging the cards.

The rail operator deployed 800 students in white t-shirts to help out passengers unaware of the switch, as well as NS staff members, according to newspaper AD.

The new system inspired one Utrecht museum to offer a large reward for the first-ever paper ticket, and a small cash prize for the the last-ever paper ticket.

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