Soccer enthusiasts facing challenges with public transport now have a new method to reach Boston, Dallas, Miami, and New York from remote stadiums.
Uber announced a new shared shuttle service using 50-seat vans for fans after matches at venues near these cities. The cost for travel from New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to Manhattan is $49, while the fare for the other cities is set at $45. In Miami, this service will also transport fans to the matches.
Many fans have encountered high costs related to reaching these stadiums. For instance, a 17-mile round-trip train from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium costs $98, with no one-way tickets available. After public protest and efforts by New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul, the price for official shuttle buses between Manhattan and MetLife has dropped to $20 round-trip from an initial $80. A fleet of school buses will provide up to 18,000 seats per match, with some seats reserved for New York residents.
In other regions, travel costs are also significant. In Boston, reaching Gillette Stadium, which is about 30 miles away, involves an $80 round-trip train ride. Meanwhile, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, about 24 miles from Dallas, lacks direct train access. In Miami, accessing Hard Rock Stadium requires a train and bus ride costing about $20, though parking fees start at $175.
Uber offers an option called Uber Max, utilizing 14-seat vans for rides in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. While specific pricing details remain scarce, this service is expected to be more costly than Uber XL, according to Uber spokesman Richard Foord.
Andrew Macdonald, Uber’s president and COO, emphasized their aim to provide “reliable, affordable ways to get around that complement existing public transit networks.” He indicated that expansions in lower-cost options such as shared shuttles and group rides are part of this commitment.
Uber plans to allow bookings for shuttle seats a few days prior to matches, with some reserved for booking on the event day. Foord mentioned that drop-off locations are still being determined, with information to be provided to passengers in advance.