World Cup shuttle bus prices in New York slashed after fan backlash | OneFootball

Shuttle bus fares for England’s upcoming World Cup match in the United States have been significantly reduced following widespread fan discontent.

Supporters travelling to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the Three Lions’ clash against Panama on June 27 will now pay a quarter of the original price.

Initially, fans faced fare of $80 (£60) to travel to the game from Grand Central Terminal or the Port Authority bus terminal in New York. However, New York state governor Kathy Hochul said on social media the bus ticket had now been reduced to $20 (£15) in order to make the World Cup “as accessible as possible”.

The initial high costs had drawn considerable criticism from England fans. One supporter highlighted that train fares from Boston and New York to the games would exceed what they paid to attend the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

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Thomas Tuchel’s England are due to play at the MetLife Stadium against Panama (PA Wire)

Lifelong England fan Billy Grant told the Press Association before the price cuts: "I have to admit, when they announced the $100 Boston train, that was the first one, when they announced that I was like ‘I’m not being funny, but that’s taking the mick’.

"That train is probably more than how much I paid for the Euros final. So it’s costing me more to get to the stadium in America than to watch the final in Germany, when England unfortunately lost to Spain. Then the New York one is $150, and I’m thinking ‘this is just getting ridiculous’. They’re rinsing you to go into the stadiums, then they’re double rinsing you to actually get there."

Further transport relief comes as New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill confirmed that NJ Transit train fares have also been reduced to a $98 (£73) return journey after initially starting out at $150 (£111). These tickets are scheduled to go on sale on Wednesday.

Ms Sherrill had previously attributed the inflated transport costs to Fifa, stating the state had "inherited an agreement where Fifa is providing zero dollars for transportation", a comment which Fifa said it was "surprised" by.

Governor Hochul added that 20 per cent of the available shuttle bus tickets will be reserved for New York residents, acknowledging their role in "helping host the world".