On Tuesday, a prominent US legislator demanded that FIFA cover the expense of public transportation during the World Cup after learning that municipal governments in New Jersey are preparing significant price increases.
On X, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, stated that transportation expenses to World Cup locations should be covered by football’s world governing organization, which stands to gain $11 billion from the competition.
Schumer was reacting to a Tuesday article in The Athletic that claimed New Jersey Transit would charge spectators over $100 for tickets from Manhattan’s Penn Station to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium during the World Cup.
A return ticket for the journey normally costs $12.90.
“FIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer’s World Cup, yet New York area commuters and residents are being handed the bill,” Schumer commented.
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“The least FIFA can do is ensure New York residents can go to the stadium without being gouged at the turnstile. I am demanding FIFA step up and cover transportation costs for host cities and states.
“New York commuters and residents should not subsidize an $11 billion windfall.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also took aim at the reported price hike.
“The World Cup should be as affordable and accessible as possible,” Hochul wrote on X. “Charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me.”
NJ Transit did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by AFP.
A representative for the organization was cited by The Athletic as stating that no definite decision has been made about the cost of World Cup tickets.
The representative stated, “Any reference to cost would be unconfirmed speculation as the ticket prices for match day travel have not been finalized.”
According to NJ Transit officials mentioned in the Athletic piece, it would cost about $48 million to lay on services for the eight games that are scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium, including the championship on July 19.
According to Mikie Sherrill, the governor of New Jersey, the state will not impose transportation costs on local taxpayers.
Sherrill stated on Monday, “We are not going to be paying for moving the people who are watching the World Cup on the back of New Jersey taxpayers and New Jersey commuters.”
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority revealed earlier this month that return tickets from the city to Gillette Stadium would cost $80, up from the typical $20, raising concerns about public transportation fee increases impacting World Cup sites.
