NJ Transit Rail Strike Looms, Forcing Major Service Reductions and Contingency Plans

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Commuters across New Jersey may soon face significant disruptions as NJ Transit braces for a potential rail strike that could begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 16. The threat follows the recent rejection of a tentative labor agreement by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), which represents the agency’s engineers.

“Our members are angry. I, along with other NJ Transit engineers, have kept the trains moving but we have gone without a raise since 2019, during a period of high inflation and throughout the pandemic that claimed some of our coworkers. We earn less than our peers at other commuter railroads that share the same platforms. For years, we have faced managers who prioritized spending on pet projects including a half-billion dollars for a corporate headquarters with penthouse views, but those same managers couldn’t find an extra dime for their train crews,” said Tom Haas, BLET’s General Chairman representing engineers at NJ Transit. “Management has moved in our direction since NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri took over in January, but this vote count makes it clear, more needs to be done.”

The proposed contract, reached in March, failed to secure union approval, with 87 percent of voting engineers casting ballots against ratification. This vote initiates a countdown to what federal labor law refers to as “self-help,” a phase during which engineers are legally permitted to strike, and NJ Transit may also impose a lockout if negotiations do not yield a new agreement.

Should the strike proceed, NJ Transit has confirmed that it will suspend all rail service across the state, including Metro-North’s West-of-Hudson lines. This action would affect the daily commutes of over 195,000 weekday train riders, including many in Morris County who depend on the Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton lines.

In response, NJ Transit has outlined a limited contingency service plan focused primarily on weekday peak travel periods. Key elements include:

• Park & Ride Bus Service: Four regional lots—Secaucus Junction, PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel), Hamilton Rail Station, and Woodbridge Center Mall—will offer weekday peak-hour bus service to New York City or PATH transfer points.

• Enhanced Bus Routes: NJ Transit will add capacity to select bus routes that already serve New York-bound riders, particularly those located near major rail stations.

• Cross-Honoring Tickets: Rail tickets will be accepted on NJ Transit buses and light rail lines during the disruption, though they will not be honored on services such as Amtrak, PATH, or private carriers.

Despite these measures, NJ Transit warns that only about 20 percent of current rail passengers can be accommodated by alternative modes, largely due to limited bus capacity. Light rail and local bus service will operate on regular schedules, but longer travel times and overcrowding are expected.

NJ Transit is urging riders to work from home if possible and to use its transit system only for essential trips during the strike period.

“While the NJ TRANSIT team is doing everything possible to provide alternative travel options in the event of a stoppage, our focus remains on preventing one altogether,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “I have met with union leadership several times and will continue to negotiate in good faith, because a strike isn’t good for employees, and it certainly isn’t good for the 350,000 customers who depend on us every day.”

Historically, the agency has narrowly avoided labor disruptions through last-minute deals, as it did in 2016. The last NJ Transit rail strike occurred in 1983. However, ongoing staffing challenges and wage disparities with other regional railroads have prompted engineer departures and now intensify the labor dispute.

As the May 16 deadline approaches, further negotiations between NJ Transit and the BLET remain a possibility. In the meantime, commuters are advised to monitor NJ Transit’s special information page at njtransit.com/railstoppage for updates on service changes and travel alternatives.

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