A 56-km round trip for visitors travelling to the sports complex in New Jersey typically costs just $12.90.
NEWARK: World Cup fans will be charged $150—more than 10 times the usual price—for the express round-trip train between New York and the Meadowlands stadium when it hosts the final and seven other matches, local officials said Friday, sparking criticism.
The 36-mile (56 km) round trip to the New Jersey sports complex, just outside New York City, normally costs only $12.90.
“We are going to charge $150 for our round-trip ticket on our system—from New York to MetLife and back to New York,” said Kris Kolluri, president and CEO of NJ Transit, referring to the stadium by another name.
Only 40,000 train tickets will be available for the eight matches scheduled at the stadium, which normally serves as the home ground for the New York Jets and New York Giants NFL teams.
Driving will be even costlier, with limited parking spaces priced at $225 each for fans with disabilities at the stadium, while additional parking for other spectators will be available at a nearby mall, according to JustPark.
New York resident Guy Dixon, 42, criticised the pricing, calling it “an embarrassment and shame” and accusing organisers of exploiting fans.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill defended the state transit authority’s policy, stating on X that FIFA contributed no funding toward fan transportation.
