New Jersey Transit engineers began a strike early Friday morning, impacting countless commuters. While Fridays typically see a decline in travel due to the pandemic, this particular Friday is notable for two major sporting events in New York that will have many attendees scrambling for alternate transportation.
The much-anticipated subway series kicks off between the New York Yankees and the Mets in the Bronx. It’s quite common for New Jersey fans to take the train to Penn Station for these games.
From Penn Station, fans can hop on the subway; the B, D, and four trains are well-known options that stop right at E 161st Street, close to the stadium. Yankee Stadium, which has a capacity exceeding 52,000—including standing room—will likely see a surge in attendance thanks to the rivalry. For some, driving might become the chosen option, which isn’t the worst idea, really.
Over at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks are set to face the Boston Celtics in Game 6. The arena, albeit smaller than Yankee Stadium, is perched right above Penn Station, making traffic a real headache. If the Knicks clinch a win, fans will undoubtedly celebrate in the streets, a scene reminiscent of past playoff victories.
This marks the last home game for the Knicks at MSG until at least Wednesday—unless they lose Friday night and end their season after a potential Game 7 on Monday against Boston. Meanwhile, the Yankees will embark on a six-game homestand stretching through Thursday, kicking off with the subway series.
Adding to the excitement, Shakira and Pitbull are also hosting concerts Friday at MetLife Stadium, which accommodates around 82,500 fans and has its own NJ Transit Station.
Each year, NJ Transit estimates it serves around 270 million passengers.
