NJ Transit engineer strike underway, rail service suspended

NEW JERSEY – Rail service across New Jersey has come to a halt as of 12:01 a.m., Friday, May 16, as NJ TRANSIT locomotive engineers officially begin their strike following failed contract negotiations.

The strike by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) marks the first rail shutdown for NJ TRANSIT in recent years. While trains already en route at midnight completed their runs, no new train departures have occurred since the strike took effect.

The work stoppage follows a breakdown in talks late Thursday night between NJ TRANSIT and BLET. Despite a tentative agreement reached in March 2025—initially described by BLET leadership as “fair and responsible”—the union did not sign, citing unresolved wage issues. NJ TRANSIT’s 14 other rail unions have already accepted similar contract terms.

Governor Phil Murphy addressed the situation Thursday evening, saying, “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.”

Murphy added that his administration had worked “around the clock” to avoid disruption and urged a swift resolution to protect taxpayers and riders.

NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri echoed that sentiment: “We have an obligation to the hundreds of thousands of NJ TRANSIT customers to work around-the-clock until a deal is reached and rail service can resume.”

However, the BLET maintains that NJ TRANSIT management abruptly ended negotiations Thursday night after 15 straight hours of talks. “Through their actions, [NJ TRANSIT] have forced a strike despite the transit agency having the funds for a raise,” the union stated.

Picket lines are active as of 4:00 a.m. Friday at key transit locations including:

• NJ TRANSIT Headquarters in Newark (2 Gateway Center)
• Penn Station in New York City (8th Ave and 33rd St entrance)
• Atlantic City Rail Terminal

BLET engineers have been without a raise since 2019. In August 2023, union members unanimously authorized a strike if no deal was reached. BLET National President Mark Wallace criticized NJ TRANSIT’s spending priorities, saying, “They have money for penthouse views and pet projects, just not for their front-line workers. Enough is enough.”

According to the union, NJ TRANSIT engineers earn at least $10 less per hour than counterparts at other passenger railroads using the same platforms.

Contingency Plan

On April 30, NJ TRANSIT announced its contingency plan should the union opt to strike.  In developing its contingency plan, NJ TRANSIT focused available resources where demand is greatest—the more than 70,000 daily New York-bound customers, including customers who transfer from NJ TRANSIT rail to PATH trains at Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station.  NJ TRANSIT estimates that the contingency plan can accommodate approximately 20% of current rail customers, as the capacity of the bus system cannot replace the railroad. This contingency plan includes enhancing select existing New York commuter bus routes in close proximity to rail stations and contracting with private carriers to operate bus service from four regional Park & Ride locations across the state during weekday peak periods.

NJ TRANSIT strongly encourages employers to allow their employees to work from home if possible, limiting travel on the NJ TRANSIT system to essential purposes only.

NJ TRANSIT customers without access to internet will have access to live operator assistance 24 hours a day by calling (973) 275-5555.

Regional Park & Ride Service 

Park & Ride service will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning on Monday, May 19, from four regional Park & Ride lots, weekdays only, during AM peak period inbound and PM peak period outbound.  Times of operation are listed in the chart below.

Hundreds of NJ TRANSIT personnel will be deployed at rail stations throughout the system each day, as well as at these Park & Ride lots, to assist customers:

• Secaucus Junction to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York
• PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York (Operated by Academy Bus)
• Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH Station
• Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station

Park & Ride Service Times of Operation

No midday, late-night, weekend or reverse commute service will operate on these Park & Ride routes.

The Park & Ride locations were selected based on their size/parking capacity, access to regional highways, and geographical distribution.

Limited added capacity on existing NJ TRANSIT bus routes to/from NYC

NJ TRANSIT will enhance peak period service on existing New York bus routes in close proximity to rail stations.  The routes are as follows:

• 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 route
• 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

Other NJ TRANSIT Services

• Bus: All other NJ TRANSIT bus routes will continue to operate on regular schedules.
• Light Rail:  Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River LINE service will operate regular weekday schedules.
• Access Link:  Service will operate normally, however customers should anticipate longer travel times as a result of anticipated increases in traffic.

Ticketing

All existing valid rail tickets and passes with an origin or destination of New York, Newark or Hoboken will be accepted for travel on all Park & Ride services, and will be accepted on NJ TRANSIT buses and light rail lines.

Customers should purchase the following tickets from their bus Park & Ride origin:

• Secaucus Junction to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York
  • Customers should purchase a Secaucus – New York rail ticket, available on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app or from a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at Secaucus
• PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York (Academy)
  • Customers should visit academybus.com for ticket purchase information
• Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH
  • Customers should purchase a Hamilton – Newark rail ticket, available on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app or from a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at Hamilton
• Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station
  • Customers should purchase a Woodbridge – Newark rail ticket on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app (Tickets must be purchased in the NJT Mobile App. No in-person or on-board ticket sales.)

Fares from the Secaucus, Woodbridge Center Mall and Hamilton regional Park & Rides are discounted from the existing rail fares from those locations.  Adult, senior/disabled, and child fares will also be available, as follows: