NJ Transit CEO defends massive World Cup fare hike as Gov. Sherrill again calls on FIFA to foot $150 train tickets

An already-expensive trip to the World Cup just got even more costly, as NJ Transit and the FIFA New York New Jersey Host Committee announced fare hikes to attend eight matches at MetLife Stadium this year.The East Rutherford, New Jersey, stadium will host those matches, beginning June 13 and ending with the final on July 19, but a round-trip train ticket to and from New York Penn Station and MetLife Stadium will be $150, up from the usual $12.90.Shuttles are also available for $80.NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri defended the fare hikes on Friday, saying that the ultimate cost to the public transportation company should not be the burden of New Jersey commuters.“It is an exciting moment for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey’s diversity as well as its economic standing in the country and in the world.

“Equally important, she has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the game, because that would not be fair,” Kolluri said, reiterating that the tournament will cost NJ Transit $48 million.“In order to move 40,000 people and to pay for the cost of $6 million (per game), we have to charge $150.”The CEO said that if the regular $12.90 fare were put in place, commuters would subsidize the $48 million bill by 92%.“No one that I have spoken to thinks that’s fair or reasonable.Commuters in New Jersey should not carry the cost years into the future for a wonderful event, no doubt.

But the fans going to the games should burden the cost, that’s all we’re trying to say,” Kolluri added.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

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Never miss a story.Days after New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said that FIFA should pay for commuters’ costs, she did so again shortly after the fare hikes were announced.“New Jersey is ready and excited to ...