Mechelen has a top service for shoppers and visitors: the Shopping Shuttle! For ten years, this free shuttle has been taking people from peripheral parking lots to the city center, and now it has reached the 500 ,000 passenger mark. On Saturday morning, the 500,000th passenger, Frieda Aerts (64) from Battel, was honored. Alderman for Mobility, Alexander Vandersmissen, presented her with a Mechelen voucher of €150. “The Shopping Shuttle is not only convenient, but also a sustainable and safe way to reach the city,” he said.
as the 500000th traveler with the free Shopping Shuttle
from left to right Frieda Aerts – Geert Millis – Alexander Vandersmissen
@Verschueren Eddy
The Shopping Shuttle is becoming increasingly popular!
The numbers speak for themselves: in the past year, ridership increased by a whopping 41%! Weekly, some 1,870 people use the three shuttles. The benefits? Less search traffic, a cozier downtown and a boost to local commerce and hospitality. “Visitors can leave their car free and safe and get into the city smoothly, ” Vandersmissen said. Accordingly, the city is looking into how to make the service even better and more comprehensive.
@Verschueren Eddy
Where and when can you take the Shopping Shuttle?
There are three convenient shuttles:
- The Nekker Shuttle
- Mechelen-South Shuttle
- The Boat Shuttle (from Keerdok parking lot to the Haverwerf)
Originally the shuttles ran only on weekends, but since last year you can get on at other times as well:
- Wednesday: 13:00 – 19:00
- Friday: 13:00 – 24:00
- Saturday night: 19:00 – 24:00
- Shopping Sunday: 13.00 – 19.00
Frieda’s favorite outing
For Frieda Aerts, the boat shuttle is a regular ritual. Every Saturday, she parks her car in the Keerdok parking lot and sails into town. “I was even the very first passenger ever! It’s a super initiative, and I always take my dog Nala with me. Sometimes my husband also comes,” she says enthusiastically.
@Verschueren Eddy
A lasting value for Mechelen
Geert Milis of Mechelen MeeMaken sees only benefits: “The expanded timetable makes people stay in town longer. They combine shopping with dinner or a cultural outing, which is great for the local economy.”“
Plan your ride!
Do you also want to get to the center easily and for free? Check the current information on www.mechelen.be/shoppingshuttle before departure. Will you be getting on soon?