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New Jersey Transit strike underway; some 350,000 commuters scramble for transportation

New Jersey Transit strike underway; some 350,000 commuters scramble for transportation

NJ Transit Strike Disrupts Commutes for 350,000 Riders

Might 16, 2025 – Newark, New Jersey

A strike by New Jersey Transit (NJT) prepare engineers, initiated by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), started at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Might 16, 2025, halting all NJT commuter rail providers, together with Metro-North’s West of Hudson strains. The walkout, the primary in over 40 years, has left roughly 350,000 day by day commuters scrambling for different transportation choices throughout New Jersey, New York Metropolis, and surrounding areas. With negotiations stalled over wage disputes, the strike threatens to paralyze regional transportation, prompting contingency plans from transit companies and native governments.

Strike Background and Wage Dispute

The strike follows months of failed contract negotiations, with the BLET rejecting a tentative settlement final month. The union, representing about 500 engineers, calls for pay parity with engineers at different regional railroads like Lengthy Island Rail Highway and Metro-North, the place hourly wages are reportedly $10 greater. BLET claims NJT engineers earn a median of $113,000 yearly and seeks a rise to $170,000. NJT disputes this, stating engineers earn a median of $135,000, with high earners exceeding $200,000.

NJT CEO Kris Kolluri has referred to as the union’s proposed 14% wage improve, estimated to value $1.363 billion from July 2025 to June 2030, unsustainable, warning it may result in service cuts, a 17% fare improve, or a 27% enterprise tax hike. The company, already strained by a pandemic-era ridership drop and a 15% fare hike in July 2024, argues it supplied a good increase to $172,000, which was rejected. BLET Common Chairman Tom Haas countered that NJT’s refusal to fulfill regional wage requirements dangers an engineer scarcity as employees depart for better-paying railroads.

Negotiations resumed Thursday however collapsed when the union walked away with two hours left, in keeping with Haas. Kolluri described the state of affairs as a “pause in conversations,” with talks set to renew Sunday. Governor Phil Murphy, talking late Thursday, urged commuters to do business from home and expressed optimism for a decision, noting a deal was “imminently achievable.”

Affect on Commuters

The strike has disrupted commutes for NJT’s 172,000 weekday rail riders, together with 70,000 who journey to New York Metropolis. The suspension impacts all 12 NJT rail strains, together with key routes to Penn Station, Newark, and Hoboken, in addition to Metro-North’s Port Jervis and Pascack Valley strains. Commuters face crowded buses, longer journey occasions, and elevated street congestion, with highways like Interstate 80 already strained by unrelated repairs.

Tom Wright of the Regional Plan Affiliation warned of “cascading results” throughout all transit modes, as buses, ferries, and PATH trains are already at capability. Main employers are reportedly exploring contingency plans, however many commuters, particularly these with out distant work choices, are left with restricted selections.

Transportation Options

NJT’s contingency plan, detailed on its web site, can accommodate solely about 20% of rail passengers, counting on restricted bus providers beginning Monday, Might 19. Commuters are urged to do business from home or journey for important functions solely. Beneath are the first alternate options:

Bus Companies

  • NJT Supplemental Buses: Beginning Monday, Might 19, NJT will function first-come, first-served Park & Trip bus providers throughout weekday peak hours (AM inbound, PM outbound) from:
    • Secaucus Junction to Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT), New York
    • PNC Financial institution Arts Middle, Holmdel to PABT (operated by Academy Bus; NJT tickets not accepted)
    • Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH
    • Woodbridge Middle Mall to Harrison PATH Station
      NJT may even add restricted capability to present bus routes close to rail stations, akin to:
    • North Jersey Coast Line: Routes 116, 133/135
    • Raritan Valley Line: Routes 112, 113
    • Morris & Essex Strains: Route 107
    • Major/Bergen County Strains: Routes 145, 163, 164, 190
      Legitimate NJT rail tickets are accepted on these buses.
  • Personal Bus Companies: Boxcar has expanded routes from Bergen, Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union, and Metuchen, providing assured seats by way of app reservations. A brand new shuttle from Convent Station, Madison, and Chatham to Jersey Metropolis connects to PATH or ferries.
  • Native Initiatives: Cities like Summit and Metuchen are organizing constitution buses. Summit’s Park & Trip Lot #15 gives 105 areas for Lakeland bus service to NYC at $3/day.

PATH and Mild Rail

  • PATH: Operated by the Port Authority, PATH trains (Hoboken, Newark, Jersey Metropolis to NYC) will run on regular schedules however anticipate crowding throughout peak hours. Extra workers will handle stations, and further trains could also be added to deal with unsafe situations. Commuters are inspired to journey off-peak.
  • NJT Mild Rail: Newark Mild Rail, Hudson-Bergen Mild Rail, and River Line will function usually however might face delays resulting from elevated demand and site visitors.

Ferries

  • NY Waterway: The biggest NJ-NY ferry operator is growing capability with extra boats and crew, serving routes from Hoboken, Jersey Metropolis, and different factors to Manhattan. Commuters ought to verify schedules for enhanced service.
  • Metro-North Ferries: Haverstraw-Ossining and Newburgh-Beacon ferries will cross-honor NJT tickets for Major-Bergen and Pascack Valley line passengers. Free parking is on the market in Haverstraw and Newburgh.

Amtrak

  • Amtrak’s Northeast Hall trains, stopping at Trenton, Princeton Junction, New Brunswick, Metropark, Newark Liberty Airport, and Newark Penn Station, are a pricier however viable choice to NY Penn Station. Tickets have to be bought individually.

Metro-North Cross-Honoring

  • Metro-North will cross-honor NJT tickets for Port Jervis and Pascack Valley line passengers on Hudson and Harlem strains. Commuters can drive to stations like Cortlandt, Beacon, or North White Plains, the place West of Hudson parking passes are accepted. Parking at different stations might incur charges.

Driving and Ridesharing

  • Driving: Commuters driving to NYC face a $9 congestion pricing toll south of sixtieth Avenue (5 a.m.–9 p.m. weekdays). NJ Rideshare gives free carpool and vanpool matching. Count on heavy site visitors, particularly at Hudson River crossings.
  • Ridesharing: Uber, Lyft, and related providers might even see lengthy wait occasions and surge pricing resulting from excessive demand.

Biking and Strolling

  • The George Washington Bridge’s North Stroll path is open for cyclists and pedestrians from 5 a.m. to midnight day by day, offering a toll-free choice to Manhattan.

Extra Disruptions and Issues

  • Shakira Live shows: NJT canceled prepare and bus service to MetLife Stadium for Shakira’s live shows on Might 15 and 16. The Port Authority delayed lane closures at Hudson River crossings till 1 a.m. to ease site visitors for concertgoers driving to the occasions.
  • Value of Contingency Plan: NJT estimates the bus-based contingency plan will value taxpayers $4 million per day.
  • Visitors and Crowding: Commuters ought to anticipate delays on buses, PATH, and ferries, with highways like I-80 going through extra pressure from a sinkhole closure in Wharton.
  • Work-from-Dwelling Advisories: NJT, Governor Murphy, and employers urge distant work the place doable, particularly on Friday, Might 16.

Public and Official Responses

Governor Murphy has raised the potential of declaring a state of emergency if the strike persists, maintaining “all choices on the desk.” Posts on X mirror frustration, with @taliaotg reporting the union’s walkout and @MattFriedmanNJ noting Kolluri’s concern a few “me too” clause triggering raises for different unions, doubtlessly bankrupting NJT. Nonetheless, @declanoscanlon supported Kolluri and Murphy, arguing in opposition to “huge fare or tax will increase” to fulfill union calls for.

Commuters expressed nervousness on X, with @kurtsiegelin highlighting the dearth of updates because the midnight deadline handed. Transit consultants like Steven Chien of NJIT warned the strike may “paralyze very important transportation arteries,” a sentiment echoed by commuters going through chaotic journey prospects.

Trying Forward

With negotiations set to renew Sunday, either side stay beneath stress to succeed in a deal. Kolluri emphasised NJT’s dedication to a “honest and reasonably priced settlement,” whereas Haas insisted on aggressive wages to retain engineers. The strike’s length stays unsure, however its instant affect is obvious: commuters face important disruptions, restricted alternate options, and a area bracing for transportation chaos. For the most recent updates, commuters ought to go to njtransit.com or observe @NJTRANSIT on X.

Sources: ABC Information, NJ Transit, AP Information, Gothamist, The New York Instances, NBC New York, Fox 5 NY, NorthJersey.com, 6abc Philadelphia, Bloombergsystematically, together with posts on X