New Jersey Transit announced Thursday that it will reduce the roundtrip fare for World Cup travel from $150 to $105 after facing widespread criticism over the originally posted price.
Kris Kolluri, president and chief executive officer at NJ Transit, said Governor Mikie Sherrill instructed the agency to secure private sponsorships and other funding sources to bring the cost down. The fare in question covers a roundtrip from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium, a journey that typically costs about $13 roundtrip on regular service.
NJ Transit previously raised the special-event fare to $150 to offset the additional expenses associated with transporting the estimated 40,000 fans attending each game. Agency officials described the hike as a measure to cover the extra operational costs required by the scale of World Cup crowds.
A spokesperson for Governor Sherrill said the governor has been working for months to reduce the financial burden on New Jersey commuters. The spokesperson added, "Governor Sherrill has been clear that FIFA should contribute to transport its fans to World Cup games."
The pricing decision and subsequent rollback followed public criticism from soccer fans, who highlighted the broader costs of attending World Cup matches, including event tickets, parking, and transit fares.
Context and response
The move to lower the special-event fare is a response to the backlash over the initial $150 price, which stood in contrast to normal roundtrip costs between the same origin and destination. NJ Transit framed the earlier increase as necessary to meet the logistical needs of moving large numbers of spectators to and from MetLife Stadium.
Governor Sherrill's office has signaled that the state will pursue external funding, including private sponsorships, to help offset the transportation expense for attendees. The governor’s spokesperson reiterated that state officials expect contributions from event organizers to help fund transport for visiting fans.
What remains uncertain
It is not yet specified how quickly sponsorships or other funding sources will be secured or what portion of the reduced fare they will cover. NJ Transit’s adjustment lowers the price but does not eliminate the elevated cost relative to ordinary service.