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Chuck Schumer calls on FIFA to cover $150 NJ Transit fares for World Cup fans heading to MetLife Stadium
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has called for FIFA to cover the full rail cost for New Yorkers attending the World Cup, as NJ Transit train ticket prices are set for $150 to get to MetLife Stadium for matches.
Schumer released a statement on Sunday, calling on FIFA to pay the full fair, which is astronomically higher than the regular cost to travel from Penn Station to the Meadowlands, while understanding that “FIFA is set to rake in approximately $11 billion in revenue off the tournament while New York fans are being hit with $150 NJ Transit round-trip tickets to get to the game.”
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host eight matches during the World Cup, including the final on July 19. The usual price is $12.90 for the Meadowlands train from Penn Station, but it will rise to $150 beginning June 13 and ending July 19. There will also be shuttles available worth $80.
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NJ Transit CEO Kirs Kolluri defended the fare hikes on Friday, saying the ultimate cost to the company shouldn’t burden New Jersey commuters.
“It is an exciting moment for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey’s diversity as well as its economic standing in the country and in the world. Equally important, (Gov. Mikie Sherrill) has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the game, because that would not be fair,” Kolluri said, reiterating that the tournament will cost NJ Transit $48 million.
Penn Station is also scheduled to be partially closed for up to four hours before each World Cup match, which will obviously disrupt regular commuters and travelers eight times during the tournament.
Schumer argues it’s unfair for New Yorkers to have to deal with the price hike, especially considering FIFA is eliminating parking at MetLife Stadium. Also, parking at nearby American Dream mall is approximately $225, while walking access is being prohibited as well.
In turn, mass transit is “effectively the only way in or out of the stadium on match days,” Schumer’s statement read. But Schumer isn’t lambasting NJ Transit — he understands the financials the company has to deal with.
It’s FIFA he’s pointing the finger at for not helping with the cost.
“The total NJ Transit operation to move fans to and from MetLife is projected to cost $62 million, with approximately $11 million dedicated to security alone. The federal government is contributing $10.6 million and the NY/NJ Host Committee is contributing just over $3 million, leaving NJ Transit to foot a $48 million bill with zero financial contribution from FIFA.
“Meanwhile, FIFA has told other host cities they can offer fans mass rail for as little as $2.50 round trip, a fraction of what New York fans are being charged.”
Schumer added that, “Charging more than eleven times the normal fare for a train ride is a ripoff, plain and simple.”
FIFA’s budgeted revenue for the 2023 to 2026 cycle is approximately $11 billion, which marks a 71% increase over the previous cycle. It also marks the most lucrative World Cup in the tournament’s history.
Schumer’s statement also pointed out ticket prices for match-goers are around $700 for the group stage, and the final at MetLife Stadium is as high as $10,000 to get into the door under FIFA’s dynamic pricing model.
“We are carrying more fans, more riders, and more disruption than any other region in this tournament,” Schumer added. “FIFA needs to step up accordingly. Past practice does not cut it when you are eliminating parking, shutting down Penn Station, and forcing every fan onto one transit system. FIFA should cover the ride, not stick New York fans with the bill.”
FIFA may not have historically contributed to public transportation costs in previous tournaments, but Schumer argues New York and New Jersey isn’t every other host region. It’s the most densely populated area in the country, and it will be host to eight matches.
Kolluri also noted that, if the regular $12.90 fare were to stay in place, the $48 million bill for NJ Transit would be subsidized for commuters by 92%.
“No one that I have spoken to thinks that’s fair or reasonable. Commuters in New Jersey should not carry the cost years into the future for a wonderful event, no doubt. But the fans going to the games should burden the cost. That’s all we’re trying to say,” Kolluri said.
With the plan now officially in place, FIFA World Cup COO Heimo Schirgi issued the following statement to Fox News Digital:
“Ever since the host city agreements were signed in 2018, FIFA has worked in collaboration with the Host Committees and their partners to develop a transportation plan that provides efficient and accessible mass transit options for ticketed fans attending the eight matches at NY NJ Stadium. The goal is to minimize congestion, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and ensure the fan experience is positive and memorable, defined by the action on pitch, not delays on the roads.
“The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect. Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup.”
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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Pennsylvania man accused of stealing over 100 sets of human remains appears in court in ‘horror movie’ case
A Pennsylvania man accused of stealing more than 100 sets of human remains from a historic cemetery appeared in court Friday, where he reportedly waived his right to an evidentiary hearing.
Jonathan Gerlach, 34, appeared in Delaware County court wearing a lime green prison jumpsuit. Clean-shaven with his hair tied back in a bun, he looked noticeably different from his booking photo. He spoke little during the brief proceeding, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia.
Gerlach is facing nearly 500 charges — including burglary, abuse of a corpse and desecration of monuments — tied to a disturbing investigation at Mount Moriah Cemetery near Philadelphia, the outlet reported.
During Friday’s hearing, prosecutors dropped two burglary charges but filed additional counts related to alleged cemetery break-ins in Lancaster and Luzerne counties, FOX 29 reported.
The case has shocked both investigators and the public since Gerlach’s arrest in January.
At the time, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse described what detectives uncovered as “a horror movie come to life.”
Authorities say more than 100 full or partial sets of human and skeletal remains were recovered from Gerlach’s home in Ephrata and a storage unit.
FLORIDA MAN ALLEGEDLY STUFFED HUMAN REMAINS IN TWO SUITCASES FOUND IN REMOTE ‘COMPOUND’
Some of the remains are believed to be centuries old, while others belonged to infants, according to prosecutors.
Police said Gerlach was initially identified after officers conducting surveillance spotted bones and skulls inside his vehicle at Mount Moriah Cemetery
Investigators later observed him leaving the cemetery carrying a burlap bag, a crowbar and other tools. Authorities allege he admitted to stealing approximately 30 sets of remains.
The case has been especially distressing for families with loved ones buried at Mount Moriah.
SKELETAL REMAINS FOUND BY HIKERS IN WASHINGTON STATE WOODS IDENTIFIED AS WOMAN MISSING SINCE 2024
“I believe their souls are in heaven. I still think it’s disruptive,” Judy Prichard McCleary, whose ancestors’ remains were disturbed, told The Associated Press.
Gerlach remains behind bars in Delaware County with bail set at $1 million, according to FOX 29.
Court records do not indicate whether Gerlach has entered a plea. An attorney representing him could not be immediately identified Friday.
The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office could not be immediately reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman-Diamond contributed to this report.
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Nike removes running ad in Boston for ‘pace shaming’
If you need a quick summation of what it’s like to be living in the year 2026, boy, do I have a story for you.
Nike recently put up a sign ahead of the Boston Marathon on Newberry Street that may have seemed innocuous to anyone with a brain.
However, you would be wise to remind yourself these are stupid times we are living in.
Take a look at exactly what the sign said and figure out for yourself why people are so offended.
“Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated.”
Clever and cute. Or, so I thought.
Nike reportedly received major backlash for “pace shaming,” and were forced to take it down and issue an apology.
Okay, so we are just making up words now, huh?
“Pace shaming?” We are seriously living in some of the softest times imaginable.
Also, “major backlash?” How many people complained about this freaking sign to where a company like Nike felt compelled to take it down?
Then again, this is Nike we are talking about.
The same company who was allegedly involved in funding a study related to youth transgender athletes, so of course they’re not exactly playing with a full deck here.
Regardless, I have a hard time believing more than two or three people bitched and moaned about this sign, and I’m sure all three of them have never seen the inside of a gym, let alone run a marathon.
Nike is getting crushed on every corner of the internet, so I’m guessing the backlash they’re receiving from taking the sign down is far greater than any they received from the sign initially.
With how bad the obesity epidemic has gotten in this country, I think we could use a “pace shamer” or two.
This is just another example of a very vocal minority getting their way while the rest of us normies stand around and scratch our heads, wondering how the slope got so damn slippery.
Nike bowing to the woke mob is nothing new, but it doesn’t get any less disheartening.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go “pace shame” my two-year-old son, because that baby weight doesn’t seem to be going anywhere (I kid, I kid).
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Dexter Lawrence has ‘fire in me that I’ve never had before’ after Giants trade him to Bengals
Dexter Lawrence’s new chapter in the NFL has begun, and he admitted for the first time since the New York Giants traded him to the Cincinnati Bengals that he has a “fire in me that I’ve never had before.”
The Giants fulfilled Lawrence’s trade request on Saturday, sending the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle to the Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft — a blockbuster deal that changes things in the first round set to kick off from Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
Lawrence was the 17th overall pick of the 2019 draft, and he quickly became a fan-favorite for the Giants as well as arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL.
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But, despite two more years left on his contract and a new regime with John Harbaugh in place as the Giants’ new head coach, Lawrence wanted out. In the past, players have used that as a strategic move to get a new, more lucrative extension.
This wasn’t one of those times, but Lawrence is viewing this new move to Cincinnati as a fresh start that has him more motivated than ever.
GIANTS TRADE STAR DEFENSIVE TACKLE DEXTER LAWRENCE TO BENGALS IN DRAFT WEEK BLOCKBUSTER
“They wanted me here and they appreciate the work that I’ve put in over the last seven seasons,” Lawrence told Bengals radio play-by-play announcer Dan Hoard, which was published on the official team YouTube channel. “I appreciate that and I’m going to do everything I can to show them that they didn’t waste [a top 10 pick]. I’m excited. I’ve got a fire in me that I’ve never had before, so I’m excited. I’m excited to be a Bengal.”
It was also about money at the end of the day, with the Bengals dishing out a one-year, $28 million extension, which keeps him with the team through the 2028 season for a total of three years and $70 million. He still had $42 million remaining on his previous deal with the Giants.
Lawrence added that his offseason drama in New York was a “long process,” but he felt relief and excitement when the deal was finally made between the teams.
“God got me through it, and right now, I’m ready to let my light shine and go win some games.”
As Lawrence mentioned, he’s hoping not to be a disappointment in his new city considering the amount paid by the Bengals to acquire him. But the 340-pound defensive tackle has been quite the problem for opposing offensive lines, collecting 30.5 sacks, 15 pass breakups, and 341 combined tackles (40 for loss) in 109 career games with the Giants.
TRADES COULD SAVE NFL DRAFT LACKING FRANCHISE QBS, POLARIZING PLAYERS FROM BEING A YAWNER
Last season also marked the first time Lawrence played all 17 games of his career since they implemented the extra regular-season contest in 2021.
“I know people are going to say [there’s] pressure, but I embrace it,” Lawrence said. “I bring it in. It doesn’t affect me, the pressure. I just know who I am and I’m going to stay true to that. I’m going to be the guy to help this defense go to the next level.”
As Lawrence looks ahead to new beginnings, the Giants, armed with two picks in the top 10 of the first-round of this year’s draft — they also have No. 5 — Harbaugh and the rest of the team will look to hit big with these key rookie additions.
The Giants have made the playoffs just twice since the 2016 season.
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