EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — The World Cup has brought more than just international soccer teams to the New York-New Jersey area; it has reignited a longstanding feud over transportation planning between the two states. As thousands of fans pour into MetLife Stadium, the competition isn’t just on the pitch but also in the parking lots and transit lines, where a battle over transportation fees has taken center stage.

Before the first whistle blew, New York introduced a budget-friendly $20 shuttle bus service to the matches, which has consistently sold out, demonstrating its popularity among fans. Across the Hudson, New Jersey opted for a pricier route, initially setting a $150 roundtrip fare on New Jersey Transit trains, later reduced to $98 after public backlash. Despite the reduction, these trains are still running two-thirds empty, a stark contrast to their packed cross-river counterpart.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York hinted that New Jersey’s higher pricing might be dissuading fans, a comment that adds tension to an already strained relationship. This transportation tiff is just the latest chapter in a series of disputes that have historically pitted the two states against each other, from handling organized crime to managing natural disasters.

At the heart of the issue is the fundamentally different approaches to managing World Cup transit. New York’s shuttle aims to be wallet-friendly, inviting the world to enjoy the games without financial strain. New Jersey, on the other hand, aims to cover the costs of what it views as a premium service, without imposing the financial burden on its local taxpayers.

The contention over costs has practical implications. After a match between Brazil and Morocco, New Jersey Transit was underutilized, despite having the capacity for 40,000 passengers, only about 22,000 opted for this service. Concerns about potential overcrowding and a repeat of past logistical nightmares, like those experienced during the 2014 Super Bowl, loom large.

Behind the scenes, there’s ongoing debate about whether New Jersey should lower its prices further. While local and international fans may be oblivious to these regional political skirmishes, the decisions made by state leaders and transit authorities directly affect their ability to navigate the tournament's logistics.

As the World Cup progresses, the story unfolding in the parking lots of MetLife Stadium serves as a microcosm of larger, more complex issues. The ongoing dispute could have broader implications for future bistate collaborations, including major infrastructure projects like the construction of a new train tunnel and the overhaul of New York's Penn Station.

Both states have shown the capacity to cooperate effectively, as evidenced by their recent agreement to restart the train tunnel project. However, as the World Cup highlights, when it comes to transportation, old habits die hard in the face of international scrutiny and local pressures. The resolution of these tensions may not only determine how fans get to the games but could also shape the future of regional cooperation in the New York-New Jersey area.