NJ Transit, FIFA warn fans not to take unsanctioned buses to MetLife: "You may not even get to the game"

NJ Transit and FIFA are warning fans against taking unsanctioned rides to World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.

The agency and the New York New Jersey World Cup Host Committee are responsible for transporting 50,000 of the 80,000 people going to and from the games at the Meadowlands this summer. 

In April, NJ Transit announced it will charge $150 for round-trip train tickets to MetLife for FIFA games, and $80 for shuttle buses. Only 40,000 rail passes will be available per match, and approximately 10,000 fans will be able to take the shuttle buses. Uber and Lyft, which will have designated pickup and drop-off spots, are expected to cater to about 6,000 fans. 

There will be no parking allowed, and only shuttle and bus companies sanctioned by NJ Transit and the host committee will be able to drop off ticketholders at MetLife, which the tournament is calling New York New Jersey Stadium.

FIFA says it's making plans for the other approximately 24,000 fans.  

Businessowners vent frustrations

Dozens of businessowners, including many from private car and shuttle companies, showed up Friday at the Meadowlands Chamber to question NJ Transit and the FIFA host committee about the rules for transporting fans. 

"This is kind of a downer to the fan experience when they're booking a hotel across the street and there is no way of getting there besides the rideshare, which truthfully, is going to be a nightmare," one person said. 

"We are not expecting there to be 20,000 rideshares," said CEO of the New York New Jersey Host Committee. "We are going to be operating a bus service that'll come out of New York and out of New Jersey that'll take you right to the stadium." 

Nadia Kadri, with Golden Eagle Shuttles, which operates hotel shuttles said it's discouraging that the only drop-off location for her is the American Dream Mall near two walking pathways to the stadium. 

"There's absolutely no plan, no room for private livery, private shuttle buses," Kadri said. "This is the world's biggest, greatest event and the fact that we are not going to be able to access it is, like, heartbreaking." 

Private bus carriers are also unhappy. 

"We take 36-50 cars off the road with one vehicle," said Michell Petelicki, with Panorama Tours, Inc.  

"You may not even get to the game"

Kris Kolluri, CEO of NJ Transit, said the policies are about safety and reliability. 

"The idea that you are going to get a private bus, that is completely unsanctioned, that will pick you up in some random location and drop you off somewhere near the stadium, where there's some of the highest security barriers, seems a bit irresponsible to me," Kolluri said. "If you're already willing to spend thousands of dollars to come to the game, use the systems that we have to get to the place and enjoy yourself." 

MetLife is hosting eight matches in June and July, including five in the group stage, two in the knockout round, and the Final.    

"If you want to get dropped off at some random place, based on a service that you have no idea about, then do it. You may not even get to the game," Kolluri added. 

He also said anyone thinking about walking to the matches should reconsider. It's dangerous and illegal, he said, in an area surrounded by highways and marshlands.