It was stressful for Isabella Duarte, 33, planning to go to Brazil’s opening game in the World Cup, this Saturday (13), against Morocco.
A product manager, she lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, about 24 km from MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the venue for the match.
Despite the relatively short distance, the move required logistical planning. Faced with the possibility of heavy traffic and the high cost of the train that connects New York to New Jersey, she opted for private transportation.
He found an alternative in a chartered bus, which cost US$20 (R$101) for the round trip, but he still needed to organize himself in advance. “It had to involve a certain amount of planning,” he told Sheet.
The biggest concern is the return. On the way out, Isabella will board at 2pm (local time) and intends to arrive at the departure point for the stadium around 30 minutes earlier, as recommended by the organization. Upon return, however, she fears crowds, as the exit must gather a large part of the public at the same time.
“I don’t know how chaotic the shuttle will be [ônibus fretado]. On the way back it’s first come, first served [por ordem de chegada]and it only operates up to three hours after the game. I imagine everyone getting out at the same time and trying to get on the buses.”
She also cites an additional factor of pressure on mobility in the region, with the possibility of the New York Knicks confirming their NBA conquest on the same night.
For those who opt for the train recommended by the organizers, NJ Transit —responsible for public transport in New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania— has set the price for the service at US$98 (R$496), a significant increase compared to the US$12.90 (R$65.29) normally charged.
The initial price reached US$150 (R$759), but was reduced after intervention from sponsors, still remaining more than seven times the usual rate.
“It was stressful thinking about transportation when they announced that the train from New Jersey would cost about $100 to get there and back,” recalls Isabella.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill instructed NJ Transit not to pass on costs to residents or taxpayers, focusing expenses on World Cup fans.
FIFA classified the prices as “frightening”, while Sherrill publicly questioned why the entity, which could profit, according to her, up to US$11 billion (R$55 billion) from the World Cup, would not help cover the costs of public transport.
Transportation was also a concern for Paula Macaggi, 36, resident of Manhattan. The podcaster, however, opted for the train to avoid the expected traffic jams. “We think it’s safer and more guaranteed to arrive on time,” he said.
She states that she usually goes to the US Open by subway without any difficulties, but sees the World Cup as a different challenge. “The World Cup is another adventure.”
She and her boyfriend bought train tickets for 2pm and plan to return right after the game, to watch the Knicks game at a bar in New York.
Paula estimates that the complete experience will cost around US$1,600 (R$8,098) per person, including admission, transportation and food. For her, however, the value is secondary. “It’s a very special weekend. We’re very happy to experience this in New York. It’s historic.”
The transportation operation to games at MetLife Stadium takes place under the shadow of the logistical failure of Super Bowl XLVIII.
New Jersey officials, NJ Transit and the organizing committee are working to avoid a repeat of the long lines and congestion seen in 2014, when thousands of fans faced difficulties getting to and from the stadium.
At the time, the event was promoted as the first “Super Bowl of mass transport”, with strong restrictions on the use of cars and dependence on trains.
The system required travel through Penn Station, one of New York’s main stations, to Secaucus Junction, with a connection to MetLife.
The model generated bottlenecks. According to a report from The Athletic, fans waited up to an hour inside the station before the game, with reports of heat, crowding and lack of ventilation.
About 28,000 people used NJ Transit trains. After the match, the MetLife station was overcrowded, and the public was advised to remain inside the stadium.
An hour and a half after the end of the game, only 13 thousand people had left the railway complex. The system came to be treated as one of the biggest operational failures of recent sports transportation in the United States.
To avoid another collapse, the contingency plan foresees trains every seven minutes, a new bus corridor and a modular terminal with capacity for up to 40 thousand people.
In case of failures, there are also 535 extra buses and two ferries, in addition to strategies to dilute the outflow, such as post-game stay areas and the use of the American Dream shopping mall.
Even for those who live close to the stadium, getting around shouldn’t be simple either. Resident of Union City, about ten minutes from MetLife Stadium, Talita Rosa, 34, decided to avoid both public transportation and official parking lots. “I didn’t want to pay the absurd amount charged for public transport or parking.”
She, who works in program management, will take a ride to the American Dream shopping mall, next to the stadium, and from there will walk to the game.
Even though he knows the region well, he admits concern. “I’m studying. My plan is to leave very early, around 2 or 2:30 pm.” The match starts at 6pm (7pm Brasília time).
Talita was at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and compares the experience with the ease of travel at that edition.
“At the opening of the World Cup in Brazil it was super easy. I took the train from Luz and we stopped at the stadium gate.”
She estimates spending around US$1,800 (R$9,110) in total to watch the game and criticizes the prices charged. “A fortune. Robbery,” he says. “$100 from Penn Station to the stadium is a joke.”
