The math ain’t mathing.
A round-trip ticket from the Big Apple to catch the FIFA World Cup in Jersey could ring in at $150, according to a new report — up $50 from what was initially floated earlier this week.
The latest price tag for NJ Transit tickets — from Penn Station in Manhattan to MetLife Stadium — would mean a more than 1,000% increase from the normal cost of $12.90 for the 18-mile trip.
The Athletic, citing an inside source, reported the new possible fare Thursday, a day before the beleaguered transit agency is set to announce final ticket prices.
The site just days ago reported NJ Transit was considering $100 round-trip tickets — on top of the eye-popping price tag just to get a seat for one of the highly anticipated games.
“The governor clearly stated at an earlier press conference this morning with NJ Transit, the cost for the eight matches will not be borne by our regular commuters,” a NJ Transit spokesperson previously told the Athletic.
The soccer tournament is scheduled to play matches at the New Jersey stadium between June and July.
Its final was played at MetLife last summer — but transit tickets cost the usual $12.90.
The new price is expected to cover all passengers, including typically discounted children, elderly and disabled people.
And the huge transit prices aren’t the only radical move expected NJ Transit will impose.
NJ Transit’s terminal at Penn Station is expected to close to anybody not travelling to see the game for the four hours before the matches — six of which are scheduled for the thick of rush hour.
That means regular commuters will have to find another way home, or else fork over the huge sum for a ride to MetLife and then get home from there.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill previously said she didn’t want the crowds expected to fill her state’s transit system to fill the rails without paying a fair share for the services taxpayers regularly cover.
“We are not going to be paying for moving the people who are viewing the World Cup on the back of New Jersey taxpayers and New Jersey commuters,” she previously told reporters.
Sherill has also bemoaned the state’s agreement with FIFA, which doesn’t require the soccer organization to pay for transporting the tens of thousands of fans expected per match.
But FIFA cried foul.
“We are quite surprised by the NJ Governor’s approach today on fan transportation,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
FIFA noted that the initial agreements with host cities, signed in 2018, had required free transportation to matches for fans.
But after “recognizing the financial strain” on host cities, the governing body revised the agreement in 2023 to ensure ticket holders could get to and from stadiums at a regular cost price, the spokesperson said.
“FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at [Metlife] Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation,” the rep said.
NJ Transit did not respond to a request for comment.