public transportation - RotterdamStyle.com

Rotterdam transit adopts card & mobile payment options

Bryan van Putten public transportation 14 April 2023

Transportation

Public transport in the Rotterdam area has become more convenient as passengers can now use their contactless bank cards, credit cards, or mobile devices to check in and out on the metro. Buses and trams will follow suit soon.

New check-in and check-out method

The introduction of OVpay in Rotterdam, a new check-in and check-out method in Dutch public transport, allows passengers to use their contactless bank cards, credit cards, or mobile devices for travelling without a discount or subscription.

How does OVpay work?

Using OVpay is simple: hold your contactless bank card, credit card, or mobile device against the card reader or gate to check in, and check out in the same way upon reaching your destination. It is similar to contactless payments in supermarkets.

OVpay availability

Currently, OVpay is being introduced for contactless bank cards, credit cards, and mobile devices. Expansion to include students, business travellers, and subscription holders is planned for the future.

Step by step instructions

To use OVpay, remove your bank card from your wallet and check in and out with the same card* (or wallet app). Payments are processed automatically, and travel costs will appear the next day in your payment overview with the description NLOV.

*When travelling by bus or tram, double-check that the card reader is compatible with OVpay, as the upgrading of card readers might still be ongoing.

Compatible bank cards

Check in and out with:

A contactless bank card from ABN AMRO, ASN Bank, bunq, ING, Knab, Rabobank, RegioBank or SNS
A contactless credit card from Mastercard or Visa (e.g. issued by ICS)
A mobile device linked to one of the above-mentioned bank cards or credit cards for contactless payments, such as Apple Pay or Google Wallet
A foreign contactless bank card or credit card from Maestro, V PAY, Mastercard or Visa.

Check your travel history

Should you ever need to check your travel history, or get an explanation of travel costs, or adjust a missed checkout, note that you can do it all from the self-service page on the OVpay website.

Buy public transport tickets online with the RET Barcode app

Bryan van Putten public transportation 10 July 2018

You can now buy public transportation tickets online with the RET Barcode app. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Public transportation in Rotterdam is usually a breeze. All you need is one card and just like magic, you simply check in and out of all the modes of transportation. But the ov-chipcard system also has one major flaw; when you run out of credit, you can't just re-up anywhere. Of course you can always purchase a ticket if you're carrying cash, but fewer and fewer people carry cash nowadays.

The downside

If you live in the suburbs, you probably need to take a tram to get to a station where you can finally purchase the credit. This often involves an uncomfortable conversation with the conductor in which you plead to please let you ride along for a few stops. If they kick you out, you waste a lot of time finding an ATM and making it back to the stop. By then you probably missed one or two trams and are now late for your appointment. To make a long story short; there needs to be an easier way.

RET Barcode app

RET has recently introduced the RET Barcode app. If you need to catch a tram or bus, but don't have any cash on you (or on your card), then simply purchase credit through the app. You'll then receive a barcode that you can show the conductors when they come to check. Just make sure to activate your ticket within 24 hours after purchase.

At present time, the barcode in the app is not yet compatible with the gates at metro stations. However, it is predicted that this will be the case by the end of the year. By the end of 2019, you'll also be able to check in & out of trams and busses by scanning your phone (instead of having it inspected manually by the conductor/driver).

Download the RET Barcode app

RET Barcode app for Android

RET Barcode app for iOS