The New Jersey Transit Corporation spent over $14,000 to send four of its employees to the Super Bowl in New Orleans to scout out transportation and security in advance of next year’s big game at MetLife Stadium.

Agency press person John Duros defended the expense, saying the trip will “generate important dividends moving forward” as New Jersey prepares for next year’s Super Bowl festivities.

Records reveal that the state spent $7,800 on hotel rooms, $5,241 on airfare, and $423 on miscellaneous expenses.

Among the lucky public workers attending the game in The Big Easy were chief of staff rail operations Rich Andreski, Hoboken rail operations superintendent Joseph Meade III, NJ Transit Police Officer Patrick Clark, and police official Robert Gatchell, reports The Record.

Meanwhile, back in Sandy-ravaged New Jersey, NJ Transit was untangling $450 million worth of damage from the superstorm.

New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers spokesman Phil Craig said that sending the Super Bowl delegation was a “worthwhile expenditure of public funds.” 

According to the New Jersey Treasury Department, the State of New Jersey is $71 billion in debt.