Incorrect public transport chip cards cause problems for students

An estimated 17,500 students cannot use their public transport chip card due to a production error. Affected students must temporarily show a letter from public transport chip card operator Trans Link Systems as a valid ticket.

According to a spokesperson for Trans Link Systems, the problems are caused by the check-in points not recognizing a code on the incorrect chip cards. As a result, a student with a ‘wrong’ public transport chip card cannot check in or out or top up the card. By adding the unrecognized codes to the Trans Link Systems software system, the administrator hopes to solve the problem within a week.

The malfunctioning public transport chip cards, all originating from one batch, were mainly issued to first-year students, although students who have recently applied for a replacement public transport student card may also run into the problem. In total, this would concern 13,000 cards that have already been sent and 4,500 public transport chip cards that are still on their way. Affected students will receive a letter with an explanation. In addition, the writing can be used as a temporary ticket.