MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WPIX) – We are now a week away from the start of the FIFA World Cup and New York City is gearing up for the crowds. City and state officials want to keep people’s minds at ease. Both Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul are expected to give an update on transportation and preparedness efforts this morning.
Midtown is filled with the hustle and bustle of people and traffic every day. Starting next week, 42nd Street will temporarily transform into a bus and shuttle corridor. Bus lanes on Fifth and Sixth Avenues will also be used on match days.
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Each match day will be a gridlock alert day. Strap hangers should pay close attention to service changes. Four hours before kickoff, trains leaving Penn Station will be restricted to World Cup ticket holders only. There will be strict security zones, checking tickets and wristbands. Fare updates for fans traveling to MetLife Stadium will be announced.
During the Penn Station limitations, other commuters must use PATH trains from 33rd Street or New Jersey Transit buses from Port Authority. Drivers may want to steer clear of Penn Station on match days as 32nd and 33rd Streets will close 6 hours before kickoff. Strap hangers say they will have to prepare as “going back and forth to NJ or areas around Manhattan is going to be a problem” says Newark resident Brandon Castillo.
People should expect massive traffic restrictions, including commercial trucks that will not have access to Midtown 6 hours before matches start until 3 hours after they end.
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