World Cup Highlights Transit Challenges and Opportunities in America

WHO:

Transportation For America - Jim Lam, a summer intern with Transportation for America, authored the article.

Bergen Record - NJ Transit and Amtrak are the railroad agencies mentioned.

WHAT:

Transportation For America - A reporter walked for 28,000 steps in 90-degree weather to get from Penn Station in Manhattan to Met Life Stadium, avoiding train tickets with 700% markups totaling $98.

Transportation For America - LA Metro provided 212,865 rides directly to and from SoFi Stadium during the World Cup at a fare of $3.50.

Transportation For America - Philadelphia saw a 20 percent increase in ridership on the Airport Regional Line before and after a match.

AJC.com - Lime logged more than 587,000 trips in Atlanta during the World Cup, with residents and visitors racking up nearly 1 million miles on scooters and e-bikes over the six weeks of matches.

Transportation For America - The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the highest-attended World Cup in history.

Transportation For America - A reporter walked for 6 hours in 90-degree weather to reach Met Life Stadium from Penn Station.

Transportation For America - Scotland fans saved over $85,000 by hiring 20 school buses instead of using New Jersey Transit.

Transportation For America - LA Metro provided 212,865 rides directly to and from SoFi Stadium during the World Cup.

Transportation For America - Fans in Atlanta took 4.66 million trips on MARTA’s rail system during the World Cup.

Transportation For America - Philadelphia saw a 20 percent increase in ridership on the Airport Regional Line before and after a match.

Transportation For America - The Trump administration allocated $100 million to aid World Cup planning in 11 host cities in March 2026.

Transportation For America - To achieve world-class transit fleets in 11 host cities by 2045, approximately $36.22 billion for buses and $27.96 billion for rail is needed.

Bergen Record - There were multiple fires, signal issues, train breakdowns, and concrete falling from the ceiling at New York Penn Station before the first World Cup match.

WHERE:

Transportation For America - Met Life Stadium is located in New Jersey.

Transportation For America - Penn Station is located in Manhattan, New York.

Transportation For America - The article mentions various U.S. host cities for the World Cup.

Bergen Record - New Jersey is the region discussed regarding railroad agencies.

WHEN:

Transportation For America - The first World Cup match at Met Life Stadium occurred on June 13, 2026.

Transportation For America - The U.S. won hosting rights to the World Cup in 2018.

Transportation For America - The Trump administration's funding for World Cup planning was announced in March 2026.

Transportation For America - The 2028 Olympics are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles.

WHY:

Transportation For America - The article argues that inadequate federal support has led to poor transportation outcomes for the World Cup.

Transportation For America - The need for sustainable financing mechanisms and land-use reform is emphasized to improve transit systems.

HOW:

Transportation For America - LA Metro's improvements were funded through four sales tax propositions passed by voters, adding 2 cents per dollar to the local sales tax.

AJC.com - The growing availability of scooters, e-bikes, and gliders in Atlanta signals a major shift from six years ago when officials routinely impounded discarded devices left on sidewalks and roadways.

Transportation For America - LA Metro's improvements were funded through four sales tax propositions passed by voters.

Transportation For America - LA Metro created affordable direct transit services to SoFi Stadium to boost ridership.

In a remarkable demonstration of determination, a reporter walked 28,000 steps in sweltering 90-degree weather to travel from Penn Station in Manhattan to Met Life Stadium, opting out of train tickets that were marked up by 700 percent, costing nearly $100. Meanwhile, LA Metro reported providing over 212,000 rides to and from SoFi Stadium during the World Cup at a fare of $3.50, thanks to improvements funded by four sales tax propositions that added 2 cents per dollar to local sales tax. Additionally, Philadelphia experienced a 20 percent increase in ridership on the Airport Regional Line before and after a match, showcasing the growing reliance on public transportation during major events.