NJ Transit CEO explains World Cup fare hike as NJ governor again implores FIFA to pay for $150 train tickets

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri explained in a briefing why the public transportation company is increasing tickets to World Cup games to $150 this summer.

An already-expensive trip to the World Cup just got even more costly, after 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. And 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 Friday, saying the ultimate cost to the public transportation company should not be the burden of New Jersey commuters.

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NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri and Alex Lasry, CEO of the 2026 FIFA World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee, speak during a press briefing on the regional mobility plan for the World Cup in Newark, N.J., April 17, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

"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, (Gov. Mikie Sherrill) 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 if the regular $12.90 fare were put in place, commuters would subsidize the $48 million bill by