In all the cost benefits analysis of contactless payments, the assumption is (calculated) that terminals and machines would not be subject to vandalism. Alas, Amsterdam estimated that - while now hardly in use - it will lose 250.000 euro on costs of repair and replacement for terminals, load machines and entry/exit gates for public transport. Which may be less than in the cash age, but is higher than estimated beforehand.
Meanwhile the city of Rotterdam is proceeding the planned expansion of usage of contactless OV-chipkaart. Before the end of this year, it will be possible to use the contactless card in bus and tram. And as of March 2007, it will be the only payment mechanism in the metro (which by the way still requires the permission of the Ministry of Transport).
