People are talking about walking I-95 to World Cup games due to cost

Staggering transit costs associated with this summer’s World Cup have been widely discussed — ad nauseam.

As it stands, fans hoping to get to one of the eight matches scheduled for play at MetLife Stadium this summer lack appealing options: They could pay $150 for a round-trip NJ Transit train ticket — or $80 for a shuttle bus.

Parking at the American Dream mall is also an option. But there’s limited space. And those spots could cost fans double that $150 NJ Transit train ticket. There’s also rideshare, of course, and the expected traffic.

Lawmakers want a ferry service from West Harlem. They have wanted a year-round one, generally speaking, and see the World Cup as an opportunity to fast-track that effort. It’s feasible on paper, but the likelihood that finances and logistics would get figured out before June? Hard to see it.

Is it a wonder, then, that some people would rather leave their transportation to their feet?

There’s been enough social media chatter about tourists footing it to MetLife, along what may be an unprecedentedly busy I-95, New York City’s Department of Transportation says. It feels compelled to respond.

The agency said it was aware of the online buzz.

“We are working with our partners at the MTA and NJ state to ensure fans will have safe, efficient transportation options to the games, and we would strongly discourage this type of behavior,” the NYC DOT said.

No one should walk along any highways outside of designated pedestrian zones, the agency adds.

Soccer fans may have to brace for some potential sticker shock when it comes to public transportation for the FIFA World Cup this summer. NJ Transit leaders mapped out their plan to get crowds to and from the stadium for the matches, and a word of warning: it’s going to be pricey. NBC New York’s Adam Harding reports.