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World Cup fans struggle to buy $80 train tickets on MBTA app: "Not a great look"

By
Neal Riley
Digital Producer, CBS Boston
Neal J. Riley is a digital producer for CBS Boston. He has been with WBZ-TV since 2014. His work has appeared in The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Chronicle. Neal is a graduate of Boston University.
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Neal Riley

/ CBS Boston

The $80 train tickets from Boston to Foxboro for World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium went on sale Wednesday, but some soccer fans had a hard time buying them on the MBTA's mTicket app.

The app asks customers to enter the email address they used to buy their match ticket. But many fans on social media reported getting a "Registration Failed" message that prevented them from getting passes for the train.

"It took way too long," said John Melanson who is going to a game with his son. "It was easier to get World Cup tickets than it was to get a ride down there. I was actually second guessing getting a parking spot down there." 

The MBTA Commuter Rail X account advised users to refresh and reinstall the app.

"I've tried re-installing the app, logging out, back in (several times), a different email address, switching off WiFi, restarting my phone ... everything," one fan replied. "All I want to do is buy a f---ing train ticket!!"

"Still not working at all. Do you have an idea when it will be resolved? Not a great look considering how much you're charging," another fan wrote.

"Our team is currently working to resolve the email address verification issue and the fix is coming soon," the Commuter Rail account has been telling fans on X.

The MBTA said that the issue was resolved before 2 p.m. and more than 17,450 train tickets have been sold already.

"Customers who have attempted to purchase and have been unable to are encouraged to return to mTicket to make another attempt," the T said in a statement. "Customer service is available at 617-222-3200 for customers who still need assistance."     

The MBTA revealed the $80 round-trip ticket price on Monday, saying it would be "more affordable" than driving and parking. They cost four times as much as what the T typically charges for special event trains to Gillette Stadium for New England Patriots games, New England Revolution matches and concerts.

reported last month that tickets would be $75 or more as the T tries to make up $35 million in investments it poured into Foxboro Station ahead of the World Cup.

Train tickets are currently on sale for five of the seven matches Gillette Stadium will host this summer. 

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