Nationaal Openbaar Vervoermuseum

About the museum

The museum was founded in April 2003 by transport enthusiasts who had collected public transport material and used it to set up a small museum on the Jetze Veldstraweg in Ouwsterhaule. On 11 December 2003 the Stichting Nationaal Openbaar Vervoer (NOV) Museum was established. The growing collection was joined by uniforms, documents, display models and old motor buses, mostly from donations by transport companies and private individuals.

In 2009 to 2011 the building was thoroughly converted and has since met today’s requirements for a museum. In display cases it shows the development of local transport in the various regions of the country, from the NTM and earlier bus companies such as LAB, LABO, NOF, ZWH, BBA, Zuidooster and Hermes to FRAM, Arriva, Connexxion and Keolis. Rail transport, trams and ferries also feature.

In the halls stand real buses that can be viewed inside and out. A model railway with H0-scale NS trains, a library with more than 1,800 titles on public transport and an archive of historic material complete the collection. For children there is a play corner with the front of a real bus.

Highlights

• Historic motor buses in the halls, viewable inside and out
• Overview of Dutch local transport companies from the NTM to today
• Model railway with NS trains in H0 scale
• Library with over 1,800 titles and timetables
• Children’s play corner with a bus front for steering and shifting

Permanent exhibitions

• Öffentlicher Nahverkehr in den Niederlanden – Display cases with uniforms, documents and models on bus companies, rail, tram and ferries from the past to today.
• Wagenpark – Real historic buses in the museum’s halls, which can be viewed from the outside and the inside.
• Modellbahn – H0-scale NS models run on a layout with a painted backdrop by the artist Boukje van der Werf.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Stichting Nationaal Openbaar Vervoer (NOV) Museum

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is no fixed admission price: visitors decide the amount themselves and put it into the donation box at the exit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the website, accessible to wheelchair users. A free charging point for e-bikes is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Play corner with Lego and a wooden railway, plus the front section of a real bus and a control console from a train driver’s cab.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located opposite the church in Ouwsterhaule. By car from Joure via Haskerhorne (take the Ouwsterhaule exit there) or from Heerenveen via Oudehaske and Haskerhorne; signposted all the way.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Coffee, tea or lemonade is offered in the reading corner. The museum shop sells models, photos and books on local public transport; payment in cash, by card or QR code. Catering for groups possible.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 50 guests.

Parties and meetings with buffet, coffee or lunch, also outside opening hours (groups of 20 to 50 people), optionally with pick-up in a vintage bus. Bus hire is handled by NOV Touring B.V. (with driver only).

Plan your visit