$13 train fare spikes to $150 for World Cup fans attending matches in New Jersey

Key Points:

• Fans attending World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will face a steep $150 round-trip train fare from New York City, nearly 12 times the regular $12.90 fare, due to NJ Transit needing to recoup $62 million in transportation costs not covered by grants.
• New Jersey officials justify the fare hike as necessary to cover expenses, with Governor Mikie Sherrill urging FIFA to pay for transit costs, a request FIFA has rejected, citing prior agreements for free fan transportation.
• Similar fare increases are seen in Boston, where express bus rides to Gillette Stadium cost $95 and round-trip train tickets are $80, while other host cities like Los Angeles and Philadelphia are maintaining regular transit prices thanks to federal funding.
• Alternatives to the train at MetLife Stadium, such as shuttle buses and parking at the American Dream Mall, are also expensive, with shuttle fares at $80 and parking spots priced at $225, amid limited on-site parking due to event logistics.
• Past large events at MetLife Stadium, like the 2014 Super Bowl, saw NJ Transit struggle with crowd management, raising concerns about the capacity and experience for World Cup attendees facing these high transit costs.