NJ TRANSIT's TETRA Radio, Video Security and Drone Teams Deliver Mission-Critical Support for FIFA World Cup 2026

In-House TETRA Capacity Upgrade, Upgraded Digital Video Security and a 437-Flight UAS Task Force Helped Move Nearly 370,000 Riders Safely To and From NY-NJ Stadium.

NJ TRANSIT has credited a coordinated, agency-wide response — spanning its Radio Communications, Electronic Security Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) teams — with helping deliver safe and reliable transportation for an estimated 370,000 riders travelling to and from FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at NY-NJ Stadium.

The recognition follows the conclusion of the tournament, during which NJ TRANSIT supported all eight matches held at the venue.

The agency described the effort as a total organisational response, drawing on visible frontline roles, including NJ TRANSIT Police, train and bus crews, and Customer Service Ambassadors, alongside behind-the-scenes contributions from the Office of System Safety, Information Technology and numerous other departments.

"While the matches were exciting, so were the amazing people that made NJ TRANSIT a co-World Cup champion for safely and efficiently moving riders to and from the matches. Whether visible, like NJ TRANSIT Police, the train and bus crews, and Customer Service with their Ambassadors, or behind the scenes with the Office of System Safety, Information Technology, and numerous other organisations that made NJ TRANSIT successful, it was a total agency response to a world-scale event."

Andrew Schwartz, Sr. Director – Radio, Security, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems, NJ TRANSIT

Within its own area of operations, NJ TRANSIT highlighted the work of its Radio Communications team who, together with partners in the Rail division, secured a temporary FCC license to install additional digital radio equipment at NY-NJ Stadium, augmenting coverage and capacity for the duration of the event. The project was executed entirely in-house and included the custom fabrication of a radio frame housing two base stations, connected to antennas mounted on the stadium station roof. The additional capacity enhanced NJ TRANSIT's mission-critical TETRA radio network, giving all buses operating in the vicinity of the venue reliable, clear voice and data communications throughout the tournament.

NJ TRANSIT's Electronic Security Systems team supported the installation of video systems and associated equipment to help manage passenger flow and strengthen security oversight around the venue. Numerous cameras were upgraded to the latest digital camera technology, delivering high-definition video for the range of users relying on the system.

The agency's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) team provided pilots and drones to augment the NJ TRANSIT Police Department's (NJTPD) own drone unit, forming a combined task force. Operating under a Special Government Interest (SGI) waiver secured by NJTPD, the task force flew 437 flights totalling 164 hours across the eight matches held at NY-NJ Stadium. Live video feeds were uplinked to NJ TRANSIT leadership and agency partners, supporting the management of passenger flow as fans moved to and from the stadium and Secaucus Junction station, while also strengthening security overwatch across the event.

"The UAS video was one of the critical elements of information that helped NJ TRANSIT deliver World Cup performance."

Andrew Schwartz, Sr. Director – Radio, Security, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems, NJ TRANSIT