Leaders of the N.Y./N.J. Super Bowl Host Committee and local transit execs today outlined a far-ranging transit plan for the Feb. 2 game, which is being dubbed the first mass transit Super Bowl. Fewer than 13,000 parking spots are available, half the normal amount at MetLife Stadium, which seats 82,500. Car service and taxi drop-offs also will be significantly limited, with those vehicles required to wait the entire game for the people they drop off. Instead, most people are expected to arrive via rail, buses or high-occupancy vehicles. Tailgating, a MetLife Stadium staple, will be seriously curtailed, if not outright unrealistic. Speaking at a rail station in Secaucus, N.J., where many fans will transfer to the MetLife rail link, Super Bowl Host Committee President & CEO Al Kelly said fans could eat or drink in their cars, or right next to them. Kelly added that fold-up chairs and grills would not be allowed and the lots will be closely monitored to ensure these rules are enforced.
Kelly noted PSAs will run in the home markets of the two Super Bowl teams to instruct fans on the transit options. The host committee is arranging a “Fan Express” coach bus service that will pick up fans at nine locations and bring them to the game. The cost is $51. During the week, the Metropolitan Transit Authority and N.J. Transit promised to run extra buses, subways and trains, with the Saturday and Sunday of the game treated in some areas as weekday service.
