On May 16, 2025, New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) engineers initiated their first strike in over four decades, halting all commuter rail services and impacting approximately 350,000 daily passengers across New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia.

🚆 Cause of the Strike

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), representing about 450 engineers, called for the strike following unsuccessful contract negotiations with NJ Transit. The central issue revolves around wage increases. While NJ Transit reports that engineers earn an average of $135,000 annually, the union contends the average is closer to $113,000. The BLET is seeking a raise to approximately $170,000 per year, aligning with salaries of engineers at other regional railroads.

Negotiations continued until late Thursday night but failed to produce an agreement. NJ Transit officials expressed concerns that meeting the union’s demands could lead to similar requests from 14 other unions, potentially costing an additional $684 million by 2030.

🚌 Impact and Contingency Plans

The strike has led to the suspension of all NJ Transit commuter trains, including services on the Metro-North Railroad’s West of Hudson lines. To mitigate the disruption, NJ Transit has implemented contingency plans:

• Enhanced Bus Services: Limited bus services have been arranged, including chartered buses from four regional Park & Ride locations to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan and PATH train stations in New Jersey. However, these buses can only accommodate about 20% of the usual rail passengers.

• Cross-Honoring Tickets: NJ Transit is cross-honoring rail tickets on its bus and light rail services. Additionally, the MTA is accommodating West-of-Hudson riders by cross-honoring tickets on the Hudson and Harlem lines.

• Remote Work Encouragement: Governor Phil Murphy and NJ Transit officials have urged commuters to work from home where possible to alleviate congestion and reduce demand on the limited alternative transportation options.

🔄 Ongoing Negotiations

Both parties have indicated a willingness to resume negotiations. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri stated that discussions could continue as early as Sunday, emphasizing the need for a fair and affordable agreement.

Commuters are advised to stay informed through NJ Transit’s official channels and local news outlets for updates on the strike and available transportation alternatives.