Uber Introduces Shared Shuttles for Soccer Fans Near U.S. World Cup Stadiums

Soccer fans concerned about the hassle of public transportation after matches in U.S. World Cup host cities have a new travel option. Uber has launched a shared shuttle service to help fans return to Boston, Dallas, Miami, and New York City from stadiums that are challenging to reach.

Uber announced the service will involve 50-seat vans. The cost is set at $49 for trips from New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to Manhattan, while the price is $45 for shuttles from stadiums in other cities. In Miami, Uber will offer shuttles both to and from matches.

Fans face high transportation costs on top of the expensive match tickets. A round-trip train ride from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium can total $98, with no one-way tickets available. Official shuttle buses between Manhattan and MetLife Stadium are now priced at $20 round-trip, following a reduction from $80 due to public criticism. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York intervened to enlist yellow school buses for the trips. Between 12,000 and 18,000 bus seats per match are available, with some reserved for New York State residents.

In Boston, a train ride from downtown to Gillette Stadium, located around 30 miles away, is $80 round-trip. Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, about 24 miles from Dallas, lacks direct train access. Fans attending matches at Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami Gardens, can combine train and bus travel for approximately $20. Parking fees there start at $175.

Besides shared shuttles, Uber is offering Uber Max for fans in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. This on-demand service will use 14-seat private vans to transport World Cup-goers to and from stadiums. Pricing details remain sparse, though it is likely to be more expensive than the existing Uber XL service, according to Uber spokesman Richard Foord.

Andrew Macdonald, Uber’s president and COO, expressed the company’s aim to provide “reliable, affordable ways to get around that complement existing public transit networks.” He added that Uber continues to expand low-cost options like shared shuttles and group rides.

Fans can book seats on Uber shuttles a few days before each match, with some seats kept for day-of travel bookings. Drop-off locations in each city are still being decided. Uber plans to inform passengers in advance of this information.

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