Match-day takeover
Tuesday’s France-Senegal clash at MetLife Stadium turned Penn Station into a soccer-only zone for chunks of the afternoon. For about four hours before kickoff, NJ Transit blocked off big parts of the station so only people headed to the game could use those areas — which left regular commuters doing a double take at the turnstiles.
Reroutes, lines and the PATH shuffle
Regular travelers were told to hop on the PATH and change trains in Newark if they wanted to get home. That’s the official plan: cordon off ticket-holder entrances, run security screenings (FIFA rules, they say), and shepherd fans toward shuttle buses and trains. In practice, it looked messier.
Commuter chaos: the personal toll
Plenty of folks showed up expecting a normal commute and found themselves stuck. Millburn resident Tony Peterson arrived just after 2 p.m. as the gates reopened and still hit long waits — enough to threaten missing family events. He said getting around on NJ Transit has felt like a daily exercise in patience.
Late for work, early alarm clocks
Not everyone was skipping out to a game. Newark native King Love said he ended up late for his IT shift because some trains simply weren’t running. He’s planning to leave even earlier for the next matches and wonders whether transit planners truly imagined how packed the system would be.
Visiting relatives and lost plans
Bronx resident Gabe Gutierrez was hoping to drop by his parents’ place in New Jersey but found himself blocked until the last World Cup train cleared. He was annoyed, but also couldn’t help smiling at the sea of soccer jerseys — the vibe was interesting even if the timing wasn’t.
Tourist trouble and pricey last-minute options
Some visitors paid a premium to get to the match. Tourists complained about confusing routes, $98 NJ Transit ticket prices, and the famously winding corridors of Penn Station. Tony Giamboi, a traveler from Perth, Australia, described the scene as mayhem, after his plan to snag a $20 shuttle failed because those tickets had sold out.
The scenic route to security
With certain entrances sealed off, some fans were rerouted by transit ambassadors on a bit of a scavenger hunt through midtown blocks before reaching security checkpoints. That extra walking and waiting didn’t help anyone running on a tight kickoff schedule.
Was planning enough?
Officials insist the closures are needed for safety and crowd control. Riders and onlookers, however, questioned whether more straightforward options or clearer routing could’ve eased the jams. Several commuters felt more preparation could’ve reduced the unexpected headaches.
Bottom line
Big sporting events bring energy — and sometimes headaches — to major transit hubs. This week’s World Cup match made Penn Station feel like a festival and a roadblock at the same time: exciting for fans, annoying for commuters, and a good reminder to check transit advisories before you leave the house.
Pro tip for the next match
If you’re heading into the city during game season: leave earlier than usual, expect security lines, and maybe practice your best puzzled tourist face — it might get you a free smile from harried ambassadors guiding folks through the maze.
