Isiah Christie 
Somehow, World Cup season in New Jersey is already nearing its end. There are only three matches left, one of which is this week on Tuesday, June 30th, between France and Sweden, and another on Sunday, July 5th, which is a round of 16 match with participating teams to be determined. These matches precede the World Cup Final, so they have major implications – and as a result, there will be some expected traffic and commuter volume that could affect local life. If you plan to travel on match days, it’s best to be prepared, so HG has put together what you need to know. Read on to learn about the World Cup match this upcoming week and how it may affect your commute.
Match on 6/30: What to Know
The World Cup, which is hosting games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, will continue this week with a Round of 32 match on Tuesday, June 30th between France and Sweden. The World Cup has attracted many international fans to New Jersey, with an estimated 1.2 million visiting the Garden State for the event, according to the event’s official website. As a result, NJ Transit has altered public transit schedules, with its services around the East Rutherford area limited to World Cup ticket holders on game days. Riders are encouraged to avoid nonessential travel if they use its services, but if commuting is necessary, plan trips to avoid peak travel hours.
Read More: Where to Watch the World Cup in Hoboken + Jersey City (Without Going to MetLife)
Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding NJ Transit’s restrictions for the World Cup:
- Access to trains from Penn Station New York (PSNY) and Secaucus Junction Station will be limited to ticket holders traveling to MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, June 30th, from 12:29 PM to 4:18 PM, according to NJ Transit’s website.
- Customers departing from New Jersey will be directed to the Hoboken PATH Station for travel to New York.
- Customers departing from New York will be directed to the 33rd Street PATH Station for travel to Hoboken or Newark Penn Station.
After the match concludes, eastbound trains traveling to New York Penn Station will terminate at Newark Penn Station from 7:10 PM to 10:14 PM. Customers commuting to New York may use an NJ TRANSIT rail ticket or pass at no extra cost. Commuters may go to Newark Penn Station’s Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, Raritan Valley Line, or PATH Station to reach New York as an alternative.
Commuters at Newark Broad Street Station who use the Morris + Essex Lines and Montclair-Boonton Line will have the following alternatives:
- Boarding a Hoboken-bound train to Hoboken Terminal for travel on the PATH train or NJ TRANSIT Bus No. 126 from Hoboken.
- Using an NJ TRANSIT rail ticket on the Newark Light Rail for travel to Newark Penn Station, where customers can transfer for PATH service to New York.
For a full list of scheduling adjustments + alternatives for NJ Transit on Tuesday’s game date, visit here.
Match on 7/5: What to Know
NJ Transit has not yet announced alerts and scheduling changes for the Sunday, July 5th match, but all matches thus far have followed the same guidelines as those outlined above for the Tuesday, June 30th match, so it will likely be the same. Expect services to be limited to World Cup ticket holders around the game’s start and finish, and for commuters to be redirected to alternative lines.
The participants for the July 5th match have not yet been decided, but it will be a Round of 16 that precedes the World Cup Final, so it is expected to draw significant traffic. We will update this article as more information is received.
See More: Whimsical Places in New Jersey to Visit for Your Next Adventure
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