New york city: Train ticket prices have surged to an unprecedented $100 as a New York City rail company readies itself for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to kick off in June. This massive price hike is eight times the usual fare, stirring concerns among local commuters and football enthusiasts.

According to Thai News Agency, the transportation operator, New York Transit, plans to impose this steep fare for a round-trip journey from Penn Station to MetLife Stadium in Manhattan, New Jersey. The distance between the two locations is just 29 kilometers, with the regular round-trip ticket costing only $12.90 (approximately 400 baht). The significant increase is reportedly aimed at capitalizing on the influx of football fans during the tournament.

Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, has urged FIFA to shoulder the public transportation costs linked with the 2026 World Cup. The senator's appeal comes amidst reports that New Jersey authorities are planning substantial fare hikes during the event. FIFA, which is projected to earn $11 billion (around 350 billion baht) from the World Cup, is being called upon to alleviate the financial burden on fans and local commuters.

The issue is not confined to New York alone. Boston is facing a similar predicament, with round-trip tickets from the city to Gillette Arena now priced at $80 USD (approximately 2,500 THB). This marks an increase of $20 USD (approximately 640 THB) from the standard fare, further aggravating the situation for football fans in the region.