German players have stepped up to ease fans’ pain from soaring transport costs at the World Cup, offering to pay for 600 of them to travel by bus to their last Group E game against Ecuador in New Jersey on June 25.
City authorities severely hiked rail and bus fares from New York to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, citing increased pressure on the public transit systems.
‘Free transport for 600 fans’
That triggered a backlash from fans who have already paid high prices for match tickets.
“In light of the high cost of bus and train travel in New York during the World Cup, the German national team players have organised free transport to the final group match for 600 fans,” the German Football Association said.
“Captain Joshua Kimmich and his teammates are covering the cost of buses to take supporters from New York to the arena in New Jersey for the match against Ecuador.”
A round trip to the stadium by train, which usually costs $12.90, has been set at $98 during World Cup games, down from the originally proposed $150 fare after NJ Transit faced heavy criticism.
Shuttle buses will cost $20, down from the initial $80 price tag.
Transport was free for fans at the last two World Cups in Russia and Qatar.
Four-time champions Germany will begin their campaign in Houston against Curacao on Sunday.
- German national team players are covering transport costs for 600 fans to attend their last Group E World Cup match against Ecuador in New Jersey.
- New York and New Jersey authorities raised rail and bus fares significantly, worsening fans' expenses during the World Cup.
- Typical train fares increased from $12.90 to $98, and shuttle bus prices rose from $20 to $80, prompting fan backlash.
- The German Football Association confirmed free bus transport organized by team captain Joshua Kimmich and teammates to ease fans' burden.
- Transport was free at the previous two World Cups in Russia and Qatar, highlighting the contrast with the current event's high transit costs.
German players have stepped up to ease fans' pain from soaring transport costs at the World Cup, offering to pay for 600 of them to travel by bus to their last Group E game against Ecuador in New Jersey on June 25.
City authorities severely hiked rail and bus fares from New York to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, citing increased pressure on the public transit systems.
"In light of the high cost of bus and train travel in New York during the World Cup, the German national team players have organised free transport to the final group match for 600 fans," the German Football Association said.
"Captain
A round trip to the stadium by train, which usually costs $12.90, has been set at $98 during World Cup games, down from the originally proposed $150 fare after NJ Transit faced heavy criticism.
Transport was free for fans at the last two World Cups in Russia and Qatar.
Four-time champions
