Fans lucky or deep-pocketed enough to get tickets to Taylor Swift’s three shows at MetLife Stadium this weekend have another hurdle to overcome – getting there. But we can help.
MetLife Stadium officials answered one of the biggest questions on Wednesday, when they said that people without concert tickets for the shows cannot access parking lots at the stadium. Tickets for each night’s concert will have to be shown to access parking lots, MetLife stadium officials said on Twitter.
NJ Transit plans on running full rail service to MetLife Stadium between Secaucus Junction and the Meadowlands. NJ Transit officials also asked non-ticket holders not to use to train to ensure there is enough room for ticket holders.
“To ensure the best possible customer experience for concert ticket-holders, we ask that all those without concert tickets avoid using the train for travel between Secaucus and MetLife Stadium,” said Jim Smith, a NJ Transit spokesman.
Taylor Swift fans will face traffic, the worst of which will be on Friday when commuters, concert goers and vacationers leaving on Memorial Day roads trips will be competing for highway space.
If you have tickets, be early and plan ahead. Add extra time to whatever Google or other map apps tell you to compensate for traffic.
In other cities, thousands stood outside the stadium to hear her sing. Both MetLife and NJ Transit advised against non-ticket holders coming to the stadium.
“Our parking lots will be at maximum capacity-additional unauthorized crowds create traffic and gridlock for everyone,” MetLife officials said on Twitter. Over 20,000 fans who were unable to secure tickets stood outside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia just to hear Taylor Swift sing.
Parking on the shoulders on Route 3 and 120 is not an options and is prohibited, except in the case of an emergency, said Steve Schapiro, a state Department of Transportation spokesperson.
“Stopping or parking on the shoulder of a highway is unlawful, unless the vehicle is disabled,” he said.
The bad news is Swifties will be traveling at the same time and generally in the same direction as commuter traffic and Memorial Day weekend getaway traffic on Friday.
“NJDOT expects heavier than normal traffic around the MetLife Stadium area and urges all motorists to plan ahead, whether they are attending the concert or driving through the area,” Schapiro said.
The better news is that regular highway construction is suspended for Memorial Day weekend, meaning no closed lanes, except for emergency work, Schapiro said.
There are other tools for those driving to the concert. Pay attention to Video Message Signs on the highway for real time traffic information, Schapiro said. The video boards display travel information such as road conditions due to heavy traffic and crashes.
“NJDOT uses its VMS boards to proactively convey traffic related information to motorists in advance of special events that are expected to generate high attendance,” he said.
The 511NJ.org website is another source of traffic information. Drivers also can download the SafeTrip NJ app, which reads traffic alerts out loud. It can be programmed to read specific alerts for the roads a user is traveling on.
NJ Transit will offer full rail service between Secaucus Junction, which serves most major rail lines and the Meadowlands sports complex on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here are some transit hacks to make it as seamless trip as possible.
The schedule for the stadium trains can be found here for Friday when MetLife bound trains start running at 4:04 p.m., and here for Saturday and Sunday when stadium service begins at 4:17 p.m.
“It is important to note that train service to MetLife for the concert will not be departing Secaucus earlier than scheduled, so customers are encouraged to avoid arriving early at Secaucus,” Smith said.
Return service from MetLife to Secaucus runs until 1 a.m, but the last trains may run later, depending on circumstances.
You can buy round trip trains ticket now using the NJ Transit app, which is a free download from the app store and Google play. Set up your account ahead of time, preferably not in the station where procrastinators will try and do the same thing.
“Customers are encouraged to purchase their round trip tickets in advance using the Mobile App for the most seamless and convenient experience,” Smith said.
Customers traveling on NJ Transit trains to MetLife Stadium should purchase their round-trip tickets from the station they are traveling from to Meadowlands Station. This avoids delays boarding trains and confusion.
Don’t buy tickets on the train, there is a $5 surcharge for doing so. If you are buy tickets from a ticket vending machine, buy round trip tickets before boarding the train at the station you’re traveling from. Expect lines if you buy them at Secaucus.
Secaucus Junction is a two-level station where Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Morris & Essex line trains stop on the upper level and the Meadowlands, Main Bergen, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis line trains stop on the lower level. Check the schedule and stops for the train you are riding, not all of them stop at Secaucus.
Once in Secaucus, check the signs for the Bet MGM Meadowlands line to find the correct track the concert trains are leaving from.
“In advance of events, customers are strongly advised to check the departure times of final train connections from Secaucus following the shows,” Smith said.
The app also has a trip planner to map your train ride, but you have to put in the right information, time and date you plan to travel.
Customers attending the weekend shows should remember weekend train schedules are different from weekday schedules, he said.
“Consult the weekend rail schedules for final departures from Secaucus, which may differ from the Friday night show,” Smith said.
Coach USA runs an Express bus from the Port Authority Bus terminal in Manhattan to MetLife stadium. Tickets for the 351 Meadowlands express can be bought online for $14 round trip. Exact fare is required for buying tickets on the bus.
Other things to know- if you are taking PATH trains to connect to an NJ Transit train, that is a separate $2.75 fare, payable with a Metrocard or a SmartLink card.
PATH does not have an Omni system like the New York Subway does, meaning you can’t tap a credit or debit card at the turnstile. Two-trip PATH cards are on sale in stations in separate machines from the Metrocard machines.
Do not get on an Amtrak train, they do not stop in Secaucus and are much more expensive than NJ Transit trains.
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Larry Higgs may be reached at [email protected].