NJ Transit plans to “reduce round-trip train ticket prices for the World Cup by 30% after initially setting them at $150,” according to Matthew Enuco of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Daily ticket prices to ride by train to the international soccer tournament “will be cut by $45 to $105 after support from ‘sponsorships and other sources’” helped offset the higher prices, per a statement from NJ Transit. A spokesman said N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill “has been clear that FIFA should contribute to transport its fans to World Cup games.” In a statement, NJ Transit officials said that Sherrill was “committed to avoiding burdening commuters and taxpayers with FIFA-related transportation costs.” State officials did not say who the sponsors are or whether they would seek more to further drive down the cost (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 5/7). THE ATHLETIC’s Adam Crafton wrote NJ Transit’s 18-mile journey from N.Y.’s Pennsylvania Station to MetLife Stadium “ordinarily costs $12.90” for a return ticket, but the price was “hiked by more than eleven times for World Cup games at the venue.” The decision to raise the prices to $150 “provoked considerable criticism and led to a row between Gov. Sherrill and FIFA.” They are continuing to “seek additional private funding assistance to cut the price further” (THE ATHLETIC, 5/7).
NJ Transit reduces train ticket prices for World Cup
