NJ Transit rail engineers on strike after midnight deadline expires. Here's what riders need to know.
NJ Transit engineers went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Friday, bringing train service to a screeching halt.
NJ Transit rail service is fully shut down, along with Metro-North's west of Hudson service. The strike is expected to inconvenience more than 300,000 daily commuters.
NJ Transit suggests people work from home, if possible, and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says all options are on the table, even a state of emergency.
"Over the past several weeks and months, we have been working around the clock to avoid this strike and keep NJ TRANSIT operating at full capacity. As always, our single-highest priority has always been to provide the best possible service to our state's commuters and taxpayers," Murphy said in a statement Thursday night. "This strike will upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans. My message tonight to our locomotive engineers is this: the path to a new contract will be paved at the negotiating table, not the picket line."
The agency and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have been at odds over pay raises. The union, which represents about 460 engineers, says the competition pays more and the cost of living has gone up.
Workers say they haven't gotten a pay raise in five years. NJ Transit said the union walked away from the last deal of $49.82 an hour — 10 cents less than Long Island Rail Road engineers. But the union said that's misleading, as LIRR engineers are working without a contract.
"This is not something that we undertake lightly. We completely understand the impact that a strike can and will have on all the commuters of New Jersey," BLET General Chairman Tom Haas said Thursday. "But ultimately, let's be clear, this rests at the feet of New Jersey Transit. They could have avoided this. They could have avoided this for the last five and a half years."
Both sides negotiated for six hours Wednesday but were unsuccessful, and negotiations continued all day Thursday, but no deal was reached. They also went to Washington, D.C., earlier this week to meet with a federal mediator.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri described the conversations as constructive, saying any deal must be "fair and fiscally responsible."
The last NJ Transit strike in 1983 lasted about three weeks. There was a potential strike in 2016, but it was averted one day before it was slated to start.
NJ Transit strike update on buses, other alternatives
NJ Transit came up with a contingency plan ahead of the strike, including additional bus service on 19 routes. But the agency's chief executive warned the plan can only handle about 20% of daily train riders.
Starting Monday, NJ Transit is enhancing peak service on the following New York bus routes:
- Northeast Corridor: 108, 112, 115 and 129 bus routes
- North Jersey Coast Line: 116 and 133/135 bus routes
- Raritan Valley Line: 112 and 113 bus routes
- Morris & Essex Lines: 107 bus routes
- Montclair-Boonton Lines: 193 and 324 bus routes
- Main/Bergen County Lines: 145, 163, 164 and 190 bus routes
- Pascack Valley Line: 163, 164 and 165 bus routes
Commuters can also take Amtrak, PATH, SEPTA, light rail or ferry service.
NJ Transit says rail tickets and passes will be cross-honored on its bus and light rail lines, but will not be accepted on the other carriers. Those customers will have to buy a separate ticket. for more information.
The MTA is cross-honoring Metro-North west of Hudson service for customers on the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines. for more information.
NJ Transit is adding four more Park-And-Ride locations in Secaucus, Hamilton, at the Woodbridge Center Mall and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.
Regular parking fees and hours remain in effect at NJ Transit train station parking facilities.
Lyft says it's working to increase the number of drivers to meet demand, and Uber says it notified customers about increased fares and wait times.
NYC coordinating with New Jersey Transit
New York City's it is coordinating with NJ Transit and other partner agencies.
"In the event of a strike, NYCEM will deploy dedicated staff to the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Emergency Operations Center to support real-time monitoring and response, tracking commuter impacts, traffic conditions, and disruptions," the agency said, in part. "We're working with the Port Authority, NYPD, and NYC DOT to ensure additional traffic personnel are in place at key transit hubs and intersections."
New Yorkers can text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 to receive alerts.
"New Yorkers, in light of the anticipated rail service disruptions in New Jersey, I want you all to know that we are monitoring the situation for any impacts and there will be shuttles in place to try and mitigate crowding," New York City Mayor Eric Adams .
NJ Transit canceled for Shakira concert at MetLife
The strike comes as concertgoers head to MetLife Stadium for two Shakira concerts on Thursday and Friday night.
NJ Transit for Thursday's show to avoid the risk of people not being able to make it back home after the clock struck midnight.
Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" tour is also scheduled at the stadium in two weeks. Her shows are set for May 22, 24, 25 and 28 around Memorial Day weekend.
Coach USA is offering a Megabus option from Manhattan to East Rutherford for both concerts, but reservations are required.
