Tweet24-11-2010 om 12:11 by Amanda Potter

The Maastricht region is well served by the train system, but sometimes there are places you can’t reach that way. Aachen, for example, takes a long time to reach via train, and places like Vaals are not along the train lines at all. Fortunately the region is served by a solid bus system which I use frequently on rainy or extra busy days when my bike isn’t enough. It’s worth checking out, and this is coming from someone who really dislikes public bus systems.

First, you’ll need a ticket. Buses in the Netherlands can be ridden with the use of a strippenkaart or, more recently, an OV-Chipcard. The card is very easy to use. After you put some money on it, just tap the card against a circular panel on the bus when you get on and then tap it again when you get off. The strippenkaart requires telling the driver where you’d like to jump off since he or she will need to stamp it for you. Tickets can be purchased on the bus as well, of course, but they do cost more.

An alternative to a strippenkaart or OV-Chipcard is a dagkaart, or daily ticket. For a relatively low price you can travel anywhere within a specific region for a single day. For local travelers, the dagkaart for Zuid Limburg only costs 7 euros and will get you all the way to Aachen if you so desire. The tickets can also be good on trains, but only the Veolia ones.

Now that you have your ticket, you need to know when and where to pick up the bus. The Veolia bus system runs several lines both inside towns and between them. You can always ask which bus to take, but I prefer to check the schedule online first. Visit 9292ov.nl for a journey planner that works with the buses, trains, and trams. It’s not perfect, but it will generally get you where you need to go.

Happy trails.

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