Transportation plans for 2014’s Super Bowl are coming into closer focus as the February 2 date approaches for the massive event, to be held in East Rutherford, N.J. The Super Bowl typically attracts high-roller patrons who can afford the hefty ticket prices, but this one will be different, according to reporting by Matt Flegenheimer in The New York Times (Jan. 20). For once, attendees will be encouraged, even forced, to use (gasp!) buses and even trains to reach MetLife Stadium. Much of the parking-lot capacity at the stadium has been instead reserved for the media and for security precautions: only cars holding $150 passes, now being hawked for $350 and up, will be able to enter the remaining parking spaces. Taxis and limos won’t be allowed to drop off game attendees, either.
Pedestrian access? Fuhgeddaboudit. So what’s left? The Super Bowl Host Committee is fielding a fleet of buses to carry ticket-holders from 9 sites in Manhattan and New Jersey directly to the stadium. One lane of the Lincoln Tunnel will be dedicated to the buses; a round-trip ride goes for a cool $51.
Thinking of flying in? Teterboro Airport is nearby and caters to private aviation—but air traffic at Teterboro has been restricted, and reservations are required to land a plane before, during, and after the event. During the game itself, there will be a no-fly zone surrounding the area. In addition, once you leave your Lear Jet, you still can’t pop over to the stadium; you’ll need to use public transportation or get a taxi to a Host Committee bus stop. For less well-heeled fans who have managed to get a ticket, the main access will be via NJ Transit shuttle trains from the Secaucus Junction transfer station. Only game ticket-holders will be allowed on the trains, which will use double-decker cars borrowed from NJT’s Raritan Valley Line; platforms at Secaucus have been lengthened to maximize train length and seating capacity. Ironically, although the game will take place in East Rutherford, there is no way to get to the stadium from East Rutherford (unless you happen to hold a parking pass). You’ll have to use buses or trains to Secaucus, then travel back into East Rutherford by train to get to the stadium.
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