World Cup MBTA train ticket price announced; T says it will be more affordable than driving

Key Points:

• The MBTA announced that round-trip tickets for the special World Cup Commuter Rail train from Boston's South Station to Gillette Stadium will cost $80, higher than the previously reported $75, and will be available only through the mTicket app starting April 8 at 11 a.m.
• These tickets will allow travel on the entire Commuter Rail network on match days, a significant increase from the usual $20 round-trip fare for special event trains to Gillette Stadium.
• The MBTA aims to recover $35 million spent on Foxboro Station upgrades for the World Cup and plans to run 14 trains per match, transporting up to 20,000 fans per game, with all riders required to have valid match tickets.
• The high ticket price has drawn criticism from some soccer fan groups who argue that attendees should not be treated as a "constant cash cow," especially given the already high costs of attending matches.
• Previous special trains, such as the $30 round-trip service for a March friendly match between France and Brazil, were praised by passengers for avoiding severe traffic congestion on I-95 and Route 1.