American train bosses planning to fleece World Cup fans heading to New York matches

A top US lawmaker called on Fifa to pay for World Cup public transport costs on Tuesday following a report that local authorities in New Jersey are planning massive price rises during the tournament.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said on X that football’s world governing body – which stands to earn US$11 billion from the tournament – should foot the bill for transport costs to World Cup venues.

Schumer was responding to a report in The Athletic on Tuesday which said New Jersey Transit is planning to charge fans more than US$100 (HK$783) for tickets from Penn Station in Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey during the World Cup.

A return ticket for the journey normally costs US$12.90.

“Fifa is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer’s World Cup, yet New York area commuters and residents are being handed the bill,” Schumer said.

“The least Fifa can do is ensure New York residents can go to the stadium without being gouged at the turnstile. I am demanding Fifa step up and cover transportation costs for host cities and states.

“New York commuters and residents should not subsidise an US$11 billion windfall.”

Click here to read article