Gary Innes and the team from Celtic Connections who will be supporting Scotland in the World Cup in the US.
by Bill Heaney
Football fans in West Dunbartonshire who hoped to travel to the US to see local heroes John McGinn and Scott McTominay at the World Cup can forget it—or face being ripped off.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has today condemned a decision by transport chiefs in the US to hike costs for Scotland fans travelling to World Cup matches.
Scotland is set to take on Haiti and Morocco at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside of Boston, before a game against Brazil in Miami.
Supporters have been strongly encouraged to take public transport to the stadium.
However, it has now been confirmed that train fares will be hiked by almost four times during the period that Scotland matches are taking place.
Fare updates announced by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) show that a round-trip ticket between Boston’s South Station and Gillette Stadium will cost $80 (or £60) per person.
Special event trains to the stadium for sporting events, such as for the NFL and MLS, as well as concerts, usually cost around $20 (£15) per person for a round-trip.
Scott McTominay, John McGinn, and Anas Sarwar.
Last month, football fans who attended a World Cup friendly between France and Brazil at the stadium paid around $30 (£22.59) for round-trip journeys.
Anas Sarwar said: “For many, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip with family and friends to cheer on Steve Clarke’s side as Scotland’s men’s team returns to the World Cup for the first time in nearly 30 years.
“It is already costing a fortune for people to fly across the Atlantic, to pay for their accommodation and secure tickets for matches. It is wrong that they should face a further price hike when they are making their way to the game.
“Thousands of supporters will bring the famous atmosphere of the Tartan Army to Gillette Stadium when Scotland take on Haiti in their opening match, and then again a week later in the clash with Morocco.
“That is a $160 charge per person making the round-trip to both games, when it would normally cost $40. It is unfair that Scotland fans are being made to pay four times the normal price for using public transport.
“This is on top of the dynamic ticket pricing, which has already sent costs soaring.
“I would strongly urge the MBTA to look again at this decision and consider whether they can reduce the cost burden on fans to ensure as many people as possible can access the stadium in a safe, affordable, and accessible manner.”