NJ Transit plans to jack up prices to an eye-popping $100 for riders traveling from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium for the eight FIFA World Cup Games being held in the Garden State.
The 18-mile trip from Manhattan to the East Rutherford, N.J. stadium, including a stop at Secaucus station, typically runs $12.90, but the state’s largest transit provider plans to charge an egregious 775% premium for tickets during the World Cup.
The New York Times first reported the news, citing sources familiar with the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity.
A NJT spokesperson told the outlet Monday, “The ticket prices for match day travel have not been finalized and any reference to cost would be unconfirmed speculation. However, as the Governor clearly stated at an earlier press conference this morning with NJ Transit, the cost for the eight matches will not be borne by our regular commuters.”
Gov. Mikie Sherrill said at the press conference, “we are not going to be paying for moving the people who are viewing the World Cup on the back of New Jersey taxpayers and New Jersey Commuters.”
The astronomical ticket prices will reportedly apply across the board, even on tickets for seniors, children and disabled passengers, which are typically discounted.
The transit system is expected to make a final decision about World Cup train ticket pricing in the coming days, the outlet writes.