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Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour gallops into MetLife Stadium from May 22 through 29, but thanks to a looming NJ Transit strike, getting there might feel less like a victory lap and more like an Oregon Trail-level survival challenge.
The agency’s 450 train engineers—who haven’t had a contract (or a raise) in six years—voted to reject a tentative deal and could walk off the job as early as this Friday. That’s already torpedoed NJ Transit service for Shakira’s shows on May 15 and 16. Now, Queen Bey’s five-night takeover is in jeopardy, too.
“Meadowlands service for the Beyoncé concert remains TBD,” NJ Transit spokesperson John Chartier told Gothamist on Tuesday. Not exactly what the Beyhive wants to hear with 50,000 fans expected each night.
So, how do you get to MetLife without NJ Transit?
The best bet is the 351 Express Coach USA bus between Port Authority and MetLife, but heads up: seats are limited, and you must buy your tickets in advance online.
Driving is an option, but traffic is expected to be brutal. If you go this route, MetLife recommends carpooling and arriving early—like tailgate-at-4pm early.
Rideshares like Uber and Lyft will be available, but surge pricing and post-show wait times up to two hours have been reported. So unless you want to spend your night waving your phone under a parking lot light, consider alternate plans.
If you’re dropping off friends, MetLife suggests hanging nearby, such as the American Dream Mall, instead of trying to come back for pickup. Want to make a night of it? Nearby hotels like The Park Hotel at Meadowlands and the Hampton Inn Carlstadt are still showing some availability for now.
If NJ Transit doesn’t pull a last-minute miracle, Beyoncé fans may find themselves wishing they’d followed her lead and ridden in on a literal horse.