In order to relieve traffic pressure as much as possible, and at the same time keep the city of Antwerp accessible and liveable, users of the P+Rs Merksem and Luchtbal can again use both car parks free of charge, as well as bus and tram for their journeys to the city center and back.
The sales season is in full swing. To ensure that the additional repair work on the Merksem viaduct does not hinder the salesmen and to ease traffic to and in the city, De Lijn will provide free bus and tram tickets this weekend for those who use the P+Rs Merksem and Luchtbal to go to the city center.
The repair and renewal works on the Merksem viaduct will enter a new phase this weekend. Traffic in the direction of Ghent and in the direction of the Netherlands will be seriously affected by this. In order to relieve traffic pressure as much as possible, and at the same time keep the city of Antwerp accessible and liveable, users of the P+Rs Merksem and Luchtbal can again use both car parks free of charge, as well as bus and tram for their journeys to the city center and back. The other P&Rs and other public transport will continue to be charged.
“We will also be working on the Merksem viaduct this weekend. A new phase is entering and that will entail inconvenience. We again provide that users of the Merksem and Luchtbal P&Rs can park free of charge and can also travel to the center by bus and tram free of charge. We hope that many people will take up the offer and thus travel 'the last mile' in a sustainable way.”
Buses and trams can be used free of charge between the two P+Rs on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 January, from 8 am to 23:59 pm. For this, a QR code must be scanned or a free (text) ticket must be requested. The free transport offer is valid on all De Lijn vehicles within the Antwerp city centre.
“The P+Rs are ideal for quickly and easily reaching the entire city center because you can park there carefree and then get to your destination quickly with our buses and trams. Not only do you save a lot of time this way, but you also avoid the stress of standing in traffic jams and looking for a parking space. To make it even more attractive, public transport at both P&Rs is free this weekend. And this is how we move together towards less CO2”.
There are stewards at the entrances of the park & rides who hand over a flyer with all the necessary explanations and a QR code to be scanned. This information can also be found on the website of De Lijn: delijn.be/antwerpenpr. You can also request a free ticket here.
“I am pleased with the efforts made by all parties involved to ensure that people who come to Antwerp for shopping can get to the center quickly and easily. Experience shows that those who park their car in the P+R and transfer to the tram make the smartest and cheapest choice."
An alternative to scanning the QR code or a ticket via the website is the free SMS ticket (+ € 0,15 provider fee) by SMS PR to the number 4884. This SMS ticket is valid for the outward - and return journey. Are you traveling with several people? Then text PR+number (e.g. PR4). Maximum 5 people.
De Lijn provides a free SMS ticket (+ € 0,15 operator cost). This is a return ticket between the P+R and the city centre. You can easily reach the center of Antwerp by tram from both P+Rs. The ride takes about 20 minutes. Tram lines 1 and 6, and bus lines 641, 720, 770, 771 and 772 run from P+R Luchtbal. Tram lines 2 and 3 run from P+R Merksem. Travelers can consult the real-time information in the app or on the website of De Line and at the screens at the stops, according to the Flemish Transport Company.
