NYC banning non-ticket holders from Penn Station on World Cup match days: report
Four of the tournament’s eight matches fall on weekdays, with several kick-offs scheduled to coincide directly with the heavy afternoon rush hour for New Jersey’s 132,000 daily rail riders
Parts of New York’s Penn Station will reportedly be closed to all users except World Cup ticket-holders for four hours before the start of matches held in New Jersey this summer. The restrictions will affect eight matches scheduled for June and July at MetLife Stadium, including the tournament final, according to documents seen by NorthJersey. com .
The transportation plans, which have not yet been officially released, were confirmed to the outlet by an NJ Transit official speaking on the condition of anonymity. Under the proposed measures, ticket-holders would have their credentials checked at specific Seventh Avenue entrances on 33rd Street and 32nd Street. While Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road passengers would be redirected to alternative entrances, NJ Transit commuters would be barred from accessing New Jersey-bound trains at the station during the four-hour window preceding kick-off.
The internal document further states that following the conclusion of matches, trains would arrive empty at Secaucus Junction to be “fully dedicated” to transporting spectators away from the stadium. Under the proposed security measures, World Cup ticket-holders would be required to use dedicated entranced on 32nd and 33rd Streets, while Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road passengers are diverted elsewhere (Getty Images) Natalie Hamilton, a spokesperson for the New York New Jersey Host Committee, previously told the outlet that a formal mobility plan would be unveiled in the coming weeks. The closures come as the region prepares for the arrival of hundreds of thousands of international fans.
Penn Station serves as the primary gateway for fans traveling to East Rutherford, with most expected to take NJ Transit to Secaucus before transferring to the stadium line. However, the station is also a major terminal for approximately 132,000 daily NJ Transit rail riders. Four of the eight scheduled matches will take place on weekdays, including a 3 p.