America’s patchwork railway system in the coming months will be “challenged -- and its weaknesses exposed -- across all 11 U.S. sites of World Cup matches,” according to Kaitlyn Tiffany of THE ATLANTIC. The most “public drama” over World Cup transportation until now “has occurred in a region that has better public-transit options than any other part” of the U.S. The railway infrastructure throughout the Northeast “may be old and shoddy,” but “at least it exists.” Just two World Cup host cities in the U.S. -- Seattle and S.F. -- have an Amtrak station anywhere near their stadium. In Houston, where fans can take the city’s light-rail system, two of the relevant lines run only once every 12 minutes. In L.A., the matches will be accessible via shuttle-bus service from designated Metro drop-off points. Even back East in Philadelphia, where SEPTA service goes directly to the stadium, the “system will be strained.” President & CEO of the nonprofit Rail Passengers Association Jim Mathews said that he is “worried that visitors from overseas will be shocked when they arrive in the U.S. and get a look at its trains.” Although some cities here now have more transit options than they did a few years ago, tourists “may still be disappointed by the scarcity of options” (THE ATLANTIC, 5/13).
TRANSIT UPGRADES: In Seattle, Rick Morgan noted Seattle’s leaders “unveiled a series of transit upgrades Wednesday for the international soccer tournament.” The new options include a “match-day shuttle run by King County Metro that will operate between Seattle Center and Lumen Field, mostly along Third Avenue, on Seattle’s six match days.” From May 21 through Labor Day, King County Metro will also “operate a waterfront shuttle between Seattle Center and Lumen Field.” That shuttle will also “hit the downtown waterfront, Pioneer Square and the Chinatown-International District.” Both of the shuttles “are free due to a collaboration with SeattleFWC26, the local World Cup organizing committee, and other supporters.” Other changes for the World Cup include “light rail trains running every eight minutes throughout match days until 1 a.m., more King County Metro bus trips, standby buses and more water taxi trips.” Washington State Ferries “will have 20 boats available” (PUGET SOUND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/13).
CARS ARE ENCOURAGED: In Boston, Michael Silverman wrote the day before Gillette Stadium transitions to “Boston Stadium” for this summer’s World Cup, local organizers “went out of their way to encourage local spectators to arrive the old-fashioned way. Drive your car.” Kraft Sports & Entertainment COO Jim Nolan on Wednesday explained that with domestic and foreign visitors expected to use the expanded bus and train services, there will be “abundant satellite parking available along Route 1 in addition to the approximately 5,000 parking spaces FIFA will control at the stadium.” Pricing for the non-stadium parking spots “remains unknown, and no advance reservation system is expected to be available” (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/13). Nolan corrected the record on tailgating, saying that “it is ‘100% allowed’ at Gillette, but will only be open to fans with tickets.” He said that tickets “will be checked three times: pulling into the parking lot, outside the secure perimeter, and again, before entering the stadium.” Nolan: “With a full stadium event, we’re specifically telling people, don’t come if you don’t have a ticket” (BOSTON HERALD, 5/13).
