Do you regularly travel by tram, bus, or metro in Amsterdam? Then pay close attention, because GVB is overhauling the familiar Flex passes tomorrow. The transit company is switching to the new “GVB Discount” via OVpay (traveling with your debit card, smartphone, or the new public transit pass).
What does this change mean for your daily trips, what’s changing with the familiar plastic public transit chip card, and how can people aged 65 and older make sure they don’t miss out on their significant travel discount?
What will change tomorrow with GVB Flex for all travelers?
Starting tomorrow, the new rules for GVB Flex will take effect. This means that a few practical changes will apply to all your trips:
- No more new subscriptions on the OV-chipkaart: Want to sign up for a new Flex subscription? Starting tomorrow, you’ll no longer be able to do so on the familiar OV-chipkaart. New discount products are moving entirely to OVpay (traveling with your debit card, cell phone, or the new OV-pas) under the name GVB Korting
- Existing subscriptions will continue to work as usual: Do you already have a recurring Flex product on your public transit chip card? Then nothing will change for you, and you can simply continue using it as usual.
- Paying for train rides after the fact is no longer an option: Do you travel with Flex or Extra Flex? The option to add “train travel” to your GVB bill is being discontinued immediately.
- Fewer options on your old card: Anyone who sticks with the old public transit chip card will eventually lose some flexibility: starting March 1, 2027, you will no longer be able to switch Flex plans mid-term using that card.
65+ discount of up to 60%: here’s how to avoid overpaying
Passengers aged 65 and older will retain their attractive discounted fares with GVB. By combining the age-based discount with the Flex products, you can quickly achieve a total discount of 41%, 47%, or even 60% on all your trips within the city.
There is, however, an important “fine print” associated with the shift to OVpay. Checking in with your cell phone, debit card, or public transit pass does not automatically grant you the 65+ discount. GVB needs personal information to verify who is traveling. Through a MijnGVB account, you can easily link your date of birth and photo ID to the relevant card. Only once that’s been set up can you travel worry-free again at the lowest possible fare.
