TOPIC:

The Dutch chip and pin system is different to the Irish debit cards.

The Dutch systems logs a cash amount ONTO the card itself and that is what you spend. That way the bus or tram does not need a data connection to a central bank computer

You can top up your card at special chip and pin machines that transfer an amount of up to €500 onto the chip in the card.

You have to get a Dutch card for all this

Cheers

Will

Hi Adam,

I am familiar with De Bierkoning but didn't go this time. Sad to say, Café Gollem remains firmly shut; you can peer in the window and it looks like it is unchanged inside but it must be over a year now since it was last open. I was told (a few months back) that the problem was a legal one (licencing or something). They do have two other outlets, but these are not all that central.

John

"Will_D":cb7fx9at wrote: The Dutch chip and pin system is different to the Irish debit cards.

The Dutch systems logs a cash amount ONTO the card itself and that is what you spend. That way the bus or tram does not need a data connection to a central bank computer

You can top up your card at special chip and pin machines that transfer an amount of up to €500 onto the chip in the card.

You have to get a Dutch card for all this

Cheers

Will[/quote:cb7fx9at]

Not really true. You're mixing up a few different systems. The main way of paying by card in the Netherlands by a debit card system called PIN, as far as I know all PIN cards are also Meastro cards. Dutch rail ticket machines take PIN and Meastro, and the ones in Schiphol take credit card too (I think, or maybe it's just at the counters).

What you're talking about is the "cashless wallet" system called Chipnik, but it's not widely used. You charge up your card and can use it without a pin. The only places I see it used are parking meters.
A normal bank card functions as PIN, Meastro, and Chipnik.

Entirely separately, the dutch transport systems are converting to a ticketless system, called OV. You get an OV card which you put credit on and pass it by a detector when you get on and off the train, tram or bus. This system is now compulsory for local transport in some cities, and cash/paper tickets is being phased out.