World Cup fans face steep transport price hikes across US host cities

[00:00:00]For millions of commuters, New York's Penn Station is a way to get to work, but for many World Cup fans, it could be the start of a very expensive journey.

[00:00:09]Ticket to the stadium normally cost me $13, but fast forward to the first match between Brazil and Morocco, this same ticket will cost me a whopping 98 bucks.

[00:00:22]>> I would say it's it's fair to the people trying to make money, of course. Um it's not fair to the people who want to just go watch the games, want to see uh the countries represent their their their soccer teams.

[00:00:33]>> And it's not just New York. In Boston, a $20 train ride to Gillette Stadium will cost $80 on match days.

[00:00:41]The train ride from Manhattan to East Rutherford in New Jersey is just 15 km, but New Jersey Transit says they're facing $50 million in additional expenses as a result of the tournament, and they say FIFA should cover the cost.

[00:00:57]>> To say that a commuter who takes New Jersey Transit from Trenton to New York every day has to somehow now subsidize 92% for a fan who's paying on average $1,500 FIFA tickets, I think is a I think that's a non-starter.

[00:01:16]>> FIFA, which is expected to rake in $11 billion in profits, maintains transportation to matches is the responsibility of the host community.

[00:01:25]>> There's no reason why FIFA should foot the bill for for anything. It's uh New solely on New Jersey Transit. They've had 8 years to plan for this, and obviously it's just complete chaos.

[00:01:35]>> The New York-New Jersey Stadium will host eight World Cup matches, including the final. It holds more than 80,000 people, and about half of them are expected to travel from New York City on game days, four of which are during the work week.

[00:01:49]Parking will be very limited, only at a nearby shopping center at a price of $200 a vehicle.

[00:01:56]And officials are also warning of congestion in Manhattan due to street closures.

[00:02:01]>> I do want to encourage New Yorkers traveling into Midtown to park their cars at home, take a bike, ride the subway, or walk.

[00:02:09]>> The cheapest alternative, bus tickets for Manhattan subsidized by the state of New York, will cost $20, but are limited.

[00:02:18]FIFA officials maintain that the influx of World Cup fans will be a boon for local communities, but local communities are wondering if fans will have any money left to spend on them.

[00:02:29]Chris and Salome, Al Jazeera, East Rutherford, New Jersey.