Schumer Urges FIFA to Cover Rail Costs for World Cup Attendees
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has called on FIFA to shoulder the expenses associated with train travel for New Yorkers heading to the World Cup. Currently, NJ Transit ticket prices are slated to hit $150 for a round-trip to MetLife Stadium during the event.
In a statement released on Sunday, Schumer emphasized the disproportionate burden on fans, noting that this fare is significantly higher than the usual $12.90 cost for the train from Penn Station to the Meadowlands. He pointed out that FIFA is expected to rake in around $11 billion in revenue from the tournament while New Yorkers face these inflated travel costs to attend.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is scheduled to host eight games, including the final match on July 19. The standard fare for the train will spike to $150 between June 13 and July 19, with an additional shuttle service priced at $80.
NJ Transit CEO Kirs Kolluri defended the fare hike, explaining that the agency’s final costs can’t be unfairly passed on to local commuters. He mentioned that hosting the tournament brings New Jersey an exciting opportunity, but it comes at a price. According to him, covering the travel expenses for fans isn’t feasible, as it would amount to an unfair subsidy.
Additionally, Schumer stated that public transportation is practically the only way for fans to reach the stadium on game days. While he understands the financial constraints facing NJ Transit, he believes FIFA should bear some of the financial responsibility.
His statement highlighted that the total operating costs for NJ Transit related to the World Cup are expected to be around $62 million, with about $11 million allocated solely for security purposes. Although the federal government is contributing $10.6 million, and the New York/New Jersey Host Committee over $3 million, the rest, roughly $48 million, will fall on NJ Transit without any assistance from FIFA.
Schumer remarked, “Charging more than eleven times the price of a train ride is a clear rip-off.” FIFA’s revenue expectations for the upcoming cycle are notably high, marking a 71% increase compared to the previous one, and making this World Cup the most lucrative ever.
He also pointed out that under FIFA’s dynamic pricing model, tickets for attendees could range from about $700 for group stage matches to a staggering $10,000 for the final.
Moreover, the senator stressed that New York and New Jersey, hosting this many matches in such a densely populated area, shouldn’t have to bear the travel costs alone. He contrasted this with comments from Kolluri, who emphasized that keeping the regular fare would unfairly subsidize the economic burden for New Jersey commuters instead of ticket holders.
Notably, FIFA’s World Cup COO, Heimo Silgi, mentioned that they have worked on a transportation plan aiming to reduce congestion and ensure a good fan experience. However, the fare increases could deter attendees, complicating transport and potentially harming the event’s overall success.
