NJersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill addressed reports that New Jersey Transit fares from MetLife Stadium to New York Penn Station on FIFA World Cup game days could exceed $100, potentially burdening commuters.
Governor’s reaction
Sherrill, who took over in January, said in a video posted on social media that he wanted to clarify “the exact status of the situation” amid growing concerns about travel costs for the World Cup in New Jersey.
“Our administration inherited an agreement in which FIFA provided transportation to the World Cup for $0, zero. This leaves the New Jersey Department of Transportation with a $48 million bill to safely transport 40,000 fans to and from each game,” Sherrill said.
“At the same time, FIFA is making $11 billion from this World Cup and charging fans up to $10,000 for a ticket to the final.”
“I’m not going to force this ride on New Jersey commuters for years to come. It’s not fair. So the bottom line is this: FIFA should pay for the ride, but if it doesn’t, I’m not going to force New Jersey commuters to ride it.”
MetLife Stadium will host eight games during the tournament, including the final on July 19th. New Jersey Transit at Penn Station is also expected to face significant restrictions on game day, with admission limited to ticketed fans.
Parking will also be prohibited at MetLife Stadium, although there are thousands of spaces available at the Meadowlands Sports Complex. This is because much of the space will be used for fan operations and security.
The current NJ Transit fare from East Rutherford to Penn Station is just under $13, making possible World Cup pricing a major topic of debate.
The Athletic also reported that there will be no difference in fares for seniors, children and passengers with disabilities, and that final pricing decisions are expected in the coming days.
Last week, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced fares from Boston to Gillette Stadium would be $80, and Boston organizers also announced shuttle bus tickets to Foxboro for $95.
