NJ Transit issued a critical advisory urging hundreds of thousands of commuters to reach their destinations before midnight Thursday due to an imminent rail strike. Engineers with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen are expected to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. Friday amid stalled contract negotiations. This strike, the first in over 40 years, threatens to disrupt travel for approximately 350,000 daily rail commuters between New Jersey and New York City.
Rail Strike Forces Commuters to Find Alternatives Amid Disputes Over Engineer Wages
A rail strike would halt all NJ Transit commuter trains, heavily used for travel into NYC’s Penn Station, forcing many commuters to seek alternative transportation. NJ Transit plans to increase bus service and contract private carriers to operate buses from key park-and-ride locations. However, these buses can only accommodate about 20% of the usual rail passengers, prompting officials to encourage telecommuting where possible. Already, train and bus service to MetLife Stadium for upcoming concerts has been canceled in anticipation of disruptions.
NJ Transit Warns Commuters as Rail Strike Threatens to Paralyze Travel Between New Jersey and NYCThe primary issue in the negotiations is wages. The union claims engineers currently earn an average of $113,000 and seeks a raise to $170,000 annually. NJ Transit disputes this, stating engineers earn an average of $135,000, with some making over $200,000. Despite a tentative agreement last month that would have increased average pay to $172,000, union members rejected it, prolonging the dispute that dates back to 2019.
NJ Transit to Use Limited Charter Buses as Strike Threatens Commuter Travel
If the strike proceeds, NJ Transit will deploy chartered buses from four satellite lots to Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal and nearby PATH stations, which will remain unaffected. However, each bus can only carry around 100 passengers, far fewer than the daily train ridership. Some commuters may shift to existing bus routes or drive into NYC, where congestion fees apply. NJ Transit has warned that no charter buses will operate on the first day of the strike.
Negotiations continue with federal mediation, though progress remains unclear. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has stated that all options, including a state of emergency, are on the table if a strike occurs, but he remains hopeful for a resolution. The strike’s potential to paralyze the state’s third-largest transit system underscores the urgency for both parties to reach an agreement soon.
