NJ Transit commuters to be blocked from trains on FIFA game days
NJ Transit service through New York Penn Station is expected to be suspended for a four-hour window before matches on game days, leaving regular riders unable to board trains.
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Commuters who rely on NJ Transit may face major disruptions this summer during FIFA World Cup matches.
NJ Transit service through New York Penn Station is expected to be suspended for a four-hour window before matches on game days, leaving regular riders unable to board trains.
“Penn Station specifically is going to be shutting down for four hours in advance of each FIFA World Cup game,” said Democratic State Assemblywoman Katie Brennan. “LIRR and Metro-North riders are still going to be able to go through Penn Station and Moynihan Station. It’s only NJ Transit riders who are going to be blocked out, which on any given day could be 100,000 New Jerseyans.”
NJ Transit has not yet publicly announced their plan. Assemblywoman Brennan confirmed the information after details about it were leaked to a local newspaper.
“That’s why some of this is so frustrating,” Brennan said. “It wasn’t released to the public, and we’re finding out this way.”
Many NJ Transit riders News 12 spoke with said they are already bracing for disruptions if the plan moves forward.
Some described the plan as "chaotic," with others calling it a "nightmare."
One rider said, "It absolutely sucks.”
It's not clear if NJ Transit will provide alternative travel options for regular commuters or how the restrictions would be enforced.
“It could be different when we see the plan,” Brennan said. “But all signs point to this being accurate and that it’s happening...People need as long as they can to plan their lives around this.”
Under the plan, regular NJ Transit ticket holders would not have access to Penn Station on eight FIFA match days between June 13 and July 19. Assemblywoman Brennan told News 12 there is also the potential for additional restrictions at Secaucus Junction after games.
“Obviously this soccer event is huge,” commuter Scott Bilby said. “But that’s a smaller part of the population than everyone that’s commuting every day.”
NJ Transit plans to release its full mobility plan for the World Cup by the end of the month.
