SouthernWorldwide.com – New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has announced another reduction in the price of NJ Transit World Cup train tickets, just days after the initial price cut following public backlash.
Initially, round-trip tickets from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were priced at $150. This price was later reduced to $105 last week.
Now, Governor Sherrill has confirmed that the tickets will be available for $98 round-trip, with sales commencing Tuesday night.
Sherrill shared the update on X, stating, “Good news: Ahead of NJ TRANSIT World Cup train tickets going on sale tonight, @NJTRANSIT is lowering ticket prices to $98 without New Jersey taxpayer money.”
She expressed gratitude to the sponsors who made this further reduction possible. “Thank you to our partners — DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries, and American Water — for helping make this possible.”
“We’re excited to host a world-class event this summer and showcase New Jersey on a global stage,” Sherrill added.
The initial $150 price for the round-trip tickets had drawn criticism from NJ Transit and the FIFA New York New Jersey Host Committee. The transit agency’s justification was that an elevated price was necessary to cover the influx of attendees to MetLife Stadium from New York City without burdening taxpayers.
Last week, NJ Transit announced it had secured monetary support from sponsors and other sources, enabling a price reduction. The identity of these sponsors has now been revealed through Governor Sherrill’s social media announcement.
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A dispute had arisen between Governor Sherrill and FIFA after the $150 price was revealed. Governor Sherrill advocated for FIFA’s financial contribution to the train tickets, while the governing body criticized the plan as “unprecedented” and suggested it could negatively impact the fan experience.
“Governor Sherrill has been clear that FIFA should contribute to transport its fans to World Cup games. Since it hasn’t, she directed NJ Transit to seek private and non-taxpayer dollars to significantly reduce the fare,” a spokesperson for Sherrill told The Athletic. “The Governor appreciates all the companies that have already stepped up to lower the costs for ticket holders. She will continue to ensure the World Cup is an experience that benefits fans and all New Jerseyans.”
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri had previously defended the original pricing, emphasizing that the cost should not fall upon New Jersey commuters.
“It is an exciting moment for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey’s diversity as well as its economic standing in the country and in the world. Equally important, (Sherrill) has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the game, because that would not be fair,” Kolluri stated, noting that the tournament was projected to cost NJ Transit $48 million.
“In order to move 40,000 people and to pay for the cost of $6 million (per game), we have to charge $150,” he explained.
For comparison, the standard round-trip train fare from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium is currently $12.90.
Furthermore, parking at MetLife Stadium has been prohibited, and ride-sharing services will have limited access. These measures are expected to naturally increase the demand for NJ Transit services during the World Cup matches.
The first match at MetLife Stadium is scheduled for June 13, featuring a group stage game between Brazil and Morocco.
