World Cup train and shuttle bus ticket prices cut in New York, New Jersey
TL;DR
New Jersey and New York have reduced World Cup train and shuttle bus ticket prices to $98, down from $150. This decision follows backlash from fans ahead of ticket sales for the tournament at MetLife Stadium.
Key points
- New Jersey Transit train tickets reduced to $98
- Original price was set at $150
- Decision made after backlash from football fans
- MetLife Stadium hosts World Cup final on July 19
- Regular fare for the trip is $13
Mentioned in this story
Local governments in New Jersey and New York have reduced the cost of train and bus tickets for commuters travelling to the states’ joint World Cup venue during the tournament.
New Jersey Transit train tickets to the MetLife Stadium, renamed New Jersey New York Stadium for the FIFA World Cup, will now cost $98 as opposed to the earlier price set at $150 for a return fare, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced on Wednesday.
“Ahead of NJ Transit World Cup train tickets going on sale tonight, NJTRANSIT is lowering ticket prices to $98 without New Jersey taxpayer money,” Sherrill wrote in a social media post.
The move followed intense backlash from local and international football fans planning to attend World Cup games at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the tournament’s final will be held on July 19.
The $98 fare, which will be charged during the World Cup matches hosted in New Jersey, is still significantly higher than the regular fare of $13 for the 29km (18-mile) round trip from New York City’s Penn Station.
When the $150 fare was announced, Sherrill defended it by suggesting the upcharge was necessary to ensure that her state’s commuters were not stuck with a “tab for years to come” for hosting the World Cup on its return to the United States for the first time since 1994.
NJ Transit officials said it would cost $62m to transport fans to and from the stadium over the duration of the tournament and outside grants had defrayed only $14m of those anticipated expenses.
“This isn’t price gouging,” NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri said last month. “We’re literally trying to recoup our costs.”
Meanwhile, the cost of taking a shuttle bus from New York City to the World Cup venue has also been reduced.
“The cost of shuttle bus tickets to and from matches will be reduced from the initial $80 round-trip price to $20,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on the same Wednesday.
The move from the NYNJ Host Committee offers some respite for fans who would have already spent thousands of dollars on attending a World Cup game, largely due to the exorbitant match ticket prices, international and local airfares, and visa costs.
The host city officials said 20 percent of bus tickets for each match will be reserved exclusively for New York state residents. The remaining tickets will be available for all match-going fans.
The US is cohosting the tournament with Mexico and Canada. It begins on June 11.
Q&A
What are the new ticket prices for the World Cup in New Jersey?
The new ticket price for the World Cup train tickets to MetLife Stadium is $98, reduced from the previous price of $150.
Why were World Cup ticket prices lowered in New Jersey?
The ticket prices were lowered following intense backlash from local and international football fans who were unhappy with the high costs.
When will the World Cup matches be held at MetLife Stadium?
The World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium, now renamed New Jersey New York Stadium, will take place during the tournament, with the final scheduled for July 19.
