New York City reshapes mass transit system to handle World Cup, NBA finals crowds

The main theme is New York City and New Jersey preparing mass transit for World Cup crowds and possible NBA Finals overlap. With FIFA World Cup games set to draw tens of thousands of additional riders, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani outlined a comprehensive plan to rework buses, subways, roads, and trains. The World Cup opener in the region is June 13 at New Jersey’s stadium, Brazil vs. Morocco, with the Knicks hosting the Spurs at Madison Square Garden on June 8 and 10 and possibly June 16 if needed. Officials say the MTA will expand service, create travel corridors for buses and emergency vehicles, and ban certain deliveries in some areas to keep traffic flowing. They anticipate up to 100,000 extra riders on peak days. The World Cup final is scheduled for July 19 at the New York–New Jersey Stadium, and the plan also accounts for potential NBA Finals activity in Manhattan. Security measures include increased police presence and cyber monitoring, while officials noted crime on the NYC subway is at a 16-year low, underscoring a heightened focus on safety and resilience during a year of major events.