[NL] OV-Pas roll out

[johncrossley]

Technically an OV-pas is as anonymous as an anonymous OV-chipkaart: there's no photo or name on it (a personal text is available however). You personalise an OV-pas just like a bank-/creditcard: by registering it in the app and uploading a photo.
Getting an OV-pas will however be much easier in the near future than getting an OV-chipkaart. Whereas you always have to order an OV-chipkaart online, the OV-pas will become available at stores like Primera which are almost everywhere in the country. They'll just be on the shelve with gift cards, so would expect that Bruna-stores which are at many stations (and also sell giftcards) will eventually also sell the OV-pas.

OV-chipkaarten will be replaced. There will be some kind of a refund scheme with the refund depending on the validity-period left, but buying an anonymous OV-chipkaart is already discouraged now. The bulk of the personalised OV-chipkaarten will probably be cards isued by NS together with a subscription. Those are free for the subscription-taker, so probably no refund for those.

Has there been any updates on how the OV-Pas will be rolled out?

Service en contact | OVpay

www.ovpay.nl

has this table

Kan ik al overstappen naar de OV-pas of betaalpas?​

Reisproduct of dienst	OV-pas	Betaalpas
Reizen zonder korting of abonnement	Ja	Ja
2e klas reizen	Ja	Ja
Abonnementen	Check de Overstaphulp	Check de Overstaphulp
Studentenreisproduct	Later mogelijk (je krijgt bericht zodra het mogelijk is)	Nee
Leeftijdskorting	Ja	Ja
Automatisch opladen	Later mogelijk (naar verwachting 2e kwartaal 2026)	N.v.t.
Fiets parkeren bij NS-stations (zonder fietsenstalling abonnement)	Ja	Later mogelijk
Fiets parkeren bij NS-stations (met fietsenstalling abonnement)	Later mogelijk	Nee
1e klas reizen	Ja (alleen bij NS)	Nee
OV-fiets	Later mogelijk	Nee
P+R korting (op NS-terreinen)	Later mogelijk	Nee
P+R korting (overig)	Later mogelijk	Later mogelijk

Most of these are "Later mogelijk". This literally translates to "possibly later", suggesting that it might not happen. But that doesn't make sense if there is no longer an OV-Chipkaart after 2027. So does that really mean "in the future"?

 

[U-Bahnfreund]

According to my fourth language knowledge of Dutch "later mogelijk" means "it will be possible later, just not now" and not "maybe". A native speaker may be able to confirm this.

 

[Struner]

According to my fourth language knowledge of Dutch "later mogelijk" means "it will be possible later, just not now" and not "maybe". A native speaker may be able to confirm this.

mogelijk later is different from later mogelijk

 

[DanielB]

According to my fourth language knowledge of Dutch "later mogelijk" means "it will be possible later, just not now" and not "maybe". A native speaker may be able to confirm this.

Correct.

Subscriptions are already possible on the OVpas at least at GVB, Arriva and Qbuzz. U-OV is expected to enable this as of May (though they already have OVpay subscriptions).

The usage instructions on the OV fiets actually already mention to use your OVpas or OV-chipkaart so these are already prepared. NS will eventually only offer subscriptions on an OVpas and not on a bank card.

 

[rvdborgt]

Has there been any updates on how the OV-Pas will be rolled out?

Service en contact | OVpay

www.ovpay.nl

has this table

Kan ik al overstappen naar de OV-pas of betaalpas?​

The same table is available in English.
"Later mogelijk" is translated with "Available later" and "Later available".

 

[johncrossley]

It is now available in Primera shops.

OV-pas | OVpay

www.ovpay.nl

Now also available at Primera​

You can now find the OV-pas in selected Primera shops, in the gift card display. We will add more shops later this year. Where can I buy the OV-pas?
And if your balance runs out, you can choose how to recharge it: through your OVpay account or in the Primera shop.

 

[bspahh]

I requested a refund of the balances from a couple of OV Chip cards and just had the money deposited in my bank account

I used:

OV-chipkaart.nl

www.ov-chipkaart.nl

 

[johncrossley]

I requested a refund of the balances from a couple of OV Chip cards and just had the money deposited in my bank account

I used:

OV-chipkaart.nl

www.ov-chipkaart.nl

Was that into a GBP bank account?

 

[bspahh]

Was that into a GBP bank account?

Yes. They wanted an IBAN number which was on the statement for my current account

 

[rvdborgt]

The currency of the account is not relevant, as long as it's at a bank in the SEPA, though an account in euro will prevent exchange fees.

 

[Mcv378]

I requested a refund of the balances from a couple of OV Chip cards and just had the money deposited in my bank account

I used:

OV-chipkaart.nl

www.ov-chipkaart.nl

I used this link, but it’s saying that I need to go to a ticket machine to complete the process of getting a refund.

I only have €8 euros on an Anonymous card, but id definitely like to get it back if possible.

 

[cool110]

I used this link, but it’s saying that I need to go to a ticket machine to complete the process of getting a refund.

I only have €8 euros on an Anonymous card, but id definitely like to get it back if possible.

That'll be because it's still valid, you need to wait until after the expiry date to skip that step.

 

[Mcv378]

That'll be because it's still valid, you need to wait until after the expiry date to skip that step.

I'll have to go back to Amsterdam this year and use it up. My card expires in 2030, and the cards stop working in 2027.

 

[Amalie]

I'll have to go back to Amsterdam this year and use it up. My card expires in 2030, and the cards stop working in 2027.

Refunding it at the nearest train station in Amsterdam and simply using your credit card to travel around might be handier than finding ways of spending exactly €8 on public transport.

 

[DanielB]

Refunding it at the nearest train station in Amsterdam and simply using your credit card to travel around might be handier than finding ways of spending exactly €8 on public transport.

Any amount between €8 and €12 will work (as it will work as long as there is more than -4 euro on the card).
I've been using up the credit on my OV-chipcard yearly in the years NS would send a new one yearly (as the subscription was still printed on the card back then). And I've never had a request to pay back my negative credit.

 

[Mcv378]

Refunding it at the nearest train station in Amsterdam and simply using your credit card to travel around might be handier than finding ways of spending exactly €8 on public transport.

I can't believe I didn't think of doing just that next time I'm there

 

[johncrossley]

Given there is no photo on the OV-Pas, how do they ensure only one person uses it if there is a season ticket on it?

 

[lkpridgeon]

Given there is no photo on the OV-Pas, how do they ensure only one person uses it if there is a season ticket on it?

They have your name printed on it if you buy online, so maybe ID? Not sure about the ones bought in store, maybe they'll work like the current anonymous product?

 

[johncrossley]

They have your name printed on it if you buy online, so maybe ID? Not sure about the ones bought in store, maybe they'll work like the current anonymous product?

Ik wil anoniem reizen, kan ik een anonieme OV-pas aanvragen?

Qbuzz

qbuzz.nl

"The OV-pas is always anonymous upon purchase. You can use it without providing your details. You then travel using your balance. Do you want a subscription or a discount? Then an account must be linked to the OV-pas. Once details are linked to the pass via the account, it becomes a personal OV-pas and can no longer be exchanged with anyone else. Only you are then allowed to travel with the pass."

Ik wil anoniem reizen, kan ik een anonieme OV-pas aanvragen?​

De OV-pas is bij aanschaf altijd anoniem. Je kunt deze gebruiken zonder dat je je gegevens doorgeeft. Je reist dan op saldo. Wil je een abonnement of korting? Dan moet er een account gekoppeld worden aan de OV-pas. Wanneer er gegevens aan de pas gekoppeld zijn via het account, dan wordt het een persoonlijke OV-pas en is deze niet meer uit te wisselen met iemand anders. Alleen jij mag dan nog met de pas reizen.

 

[cool110]

Given there is no photo on the OV-Pas, how do they ensure only one person uses it if there is a season ticket on it?

With it being an account based system I would guess the photo will be stored in the database, same as with applying concessionary rate to a debit card

 

[lkpridgeon]

Ik wil anoniem reizen, kan ik een anonieme OV-pas aanvragen?

Qbuzz

qbuzz.nl

"The OV-pas is always anonymous upon purchase. You can use it without providing your details. You then travel using your balance. Do you want a subscription or a discount? Then an account must be linked to the OV-pas. Once details are linked to the pass via the account, it becomes a personal OV-pas and can no longer be exchanged with anyone else. Only you are then allowed to travel with the pass."

It's not always anonymous on purchase, I have one in preparation for the move (but still use my chipkaart). And it certainly has my name on it... But as @cool110 has said, I'm sure they can get your details from a database. They didn't ask for a image when migrating subscriptions though.

 

[johncrossley]

It's not always anonymous on purchase, I have one in preparation for the move (but still use my chipkaart). And it certainly has my name on it... But as @cool110 has said, I'm sure they can get your details from a database. They didn't ask for a image when migrating subscriptions though.

Do you live in the Netherlands? If not, how did you get an OV-Pas with your name on it?

 

[DanielB]

It's not always anonymous on purchase, I have one in preparation for the move (but still use my chipkaart).

It is, only the pass number, expiry data and a four letter code are on the OV pas by default.

When ordering online you can however put your own free text on it. That can be anything, it doesn't need to be your name.
My OV pas has "OV pas van Daniël" on it for example.

Though I don't know what NS is having printed on the OV pas as they apparently have started supplying them to the first group of subscription holders.

 

[lkpridgeon]

It is, only the pass number, expiry data and a four letter code are on the OV pas by default.

When ordering online you can however put your own free text on it. That can be anything, it doesn't need to be your name.
My OV pas has "OV pas van Daniël" on it for example.

Though I don't know what NS is having printed on the OV pas as they apparently have started supplying them to the first group of subscription holders.

I can see myself filling in a pass name field with my name if it was an option. In that case, my bad...

 

[johncrossley]

Though I don't know what NS is having printed on the OV pas as they apparently have started supplying them to the first group of subscription holders.

What if they want to use OV-Fiets, or any of the other features that are not yet activated for the OV-Pas and still require an OV-Chipkaart?

 

[DanielB]

The instructions for OV-fiets already mention the OV-pas, so likely they already made using that possible. It's combined with a subscription already anyway.

 

[johncrossley]

I've got an OV-Pas now. It was available in the first Primera shop I found. I had to top it up in the shop with a minimum of 5 euros. They wouldn't just sell me a card for 6 euros.

I asked in another Primera store if they had it (just for fun) and they had it too.

I notice you can't top up an OV-Pas at a NS ticket machine. So what happens when someone with an OV-Pas doesn't have enough credit when trying to leave the station? Currently they can top up an OV-Chipkaart at the small NS ticket machines just inside the gates.

 

[DanielB]

The OVpas can be topped up via the OVpay app or website (or at a Primera store), so you don't need a ticket machine anymore.

Buying an OVpas without credit on it is only possible via the OVpay website. Or in the future via NS together with a subscription.

 

[johncrossley]

The OVpas can be topped up via the OVpay app or website (or at a Primera store), so you don't need a ticket machine anymore.

You certainly don't need a ticket machine and automatic reloading ensures you never run out of credit, just like with the OV-Chipkaart. But there are presumably some people who currently don't use automatic reload with their OV-Chipkaart (because they want to be in full control of the balance and don't want to spend too much) so sometimes they have a low balance, not enough to cover the journey they have just made, and need to use the machines I am talking about:

Travelling with your OV-chipkaart | Travel | NS

Easily manage your anonymous or personalised OV-chipkaart through your online account or at an NS Ticket Machine, and travel with confidence by train, metro, tram and bus.

www.ns.nl

(picture of NS ticket machine inside the gates)

NS Ticket Machine inside the gates​

This NS ticket machine is becoming increasingly common at stations. It is possible that you have enough balance to check in, but not enough to pay for your entire journey. You will then be unable to open the gate. For this reason, you can find this machine inside the gates at the station, so that you can top up the balance on your OV-chipkaart. You can use this machine to:

• Top up your balance
• View OV-chipkaart information, travel history and products on the card
• Pay using your debit or credit card
• There is a special button for disabled passengers which causes the buttons on the screen to move to the bottom half of the screen

These are pointless after the end of the OV-Chipkaart and presumably all machines inside the gates will be removed. So if they are unable to open the gates with the OV-Pas because the balance is too low, will they be required to top up the OV-Pas using the phone app before being allowed through the gate? This seems unlikely. Or will they simply be allowed to go through the gate with a negative balance?

 

[DanielB]

So if they are unable to open the gates with the OV-Pas because the balance is too low, will they be required to top up the OV-Pas using the phone app before being allowed through the gate?

They will either need to use the app or use the website. With just the card number and serial number you'll be able to top up your card, there is no need for an account.

The OVpas is, like checking in with your bank card, just a token and all information including credit on the card is stored online. So that's why ticket machines are no longer needed and actually NS already has started to reduce the number of them significantly a while ago. Pretty similar to NS Flex for which the OV-chipkaart is already just a token and you cannot do anything at a ticket machine anymore.