Schumer Demands FIFA Cover World Cup Transport Costs

On Tuesday, US Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader and a Democrat, called on FIFA to pay for public transport costs associated with the World Cup. This demand follows reports from local authorities in New Jersey about a planned massive price hike during the tournament.

Schumer highlighted that FIFA is set to earn nearly $11 billion from the World Cup while local commuters face exorbitant transport costs, with tickets from Penn Station to MetLife Stadium expected to rise to $100, compared to a normal fare of $12. New Jersey Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the proposed fare increases, stating that charging $100 for a short train ride is excessively high.

Mikie Sherrill, another New Jersey official, emphasized that the state will not pass transport costs onto local taxpayers. The article also notes that NJ Transit has not confirmed the fare hikes, which could affect travel for eight matches, including the final on July 19, with an estimated cost of around $48 million for the service.