On Friday, New Jersey’s transit trains came to a halt due to a strike by locomotive engineers.
Starting Monday, an emergency plan will introduce extra bus routes and park-and-ride locations, although it will only serve about 20% of railroad users. The focus will primarily be on serving the 70,000 commuters traveling to New York.
About 400 engineers, associated with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Railway Union, initiated the strike after contract negotiations fell through. This marks the first significant strike in New Jersey in four decades, impacting approximately 350,000 commuters.
What alternative bus routes are available?
New Jersey transit is enhancing peak service on bus routes near the rail station headed to New York.
- Northeast Corridor: Routes 108, 112, 115, and 129
- North Jersey Coast Line: Routes 116 and 133/135
- Raritan Valley Line: Routes 112 and 113
- Morris & Essex Line: Route 107
- Montclair-Boonton Line: Routes 193 and 324
- Main/Bergen County Line: Routes 145, 163, 164, and 190
- Pascack Valley Line: Routes 163, 164, and 165
NJ Transit’s Park & Ride Bus Service will start operating at four new locations—Secaucus Junction, PNC Bank Arts Center, Hamilton Rail Station, and Woodbridge Center—beginning Monday.
Impact of pass services
Normal service schedules will continue for bus passes; however, crowding is expected during peak times at the Port Authority. The Port Authority stated on its website that they monitor services and will enhance them as required for safety.
Riders are encouraged to avoid the system during rush hours. Alternatives such as Amtrak, light rail, and ferries are also available.
Will Metro-North services be affected?
The Hudson Service on the Metro-North line, covering Port Jarvis and Pascack Valley lines, is also disrupted, according to the MTA. They offer alternative routes, including the Cross Hudson route to connect with Hudson Line trains. Some parking permits at Hudson stations are being recognized.
A full list of alternative MTA service options, including buses and ferries, can be found on their website.
Are these options available on weekends?
Path and NJ Transit Bus services will still be operational, but NJ Transit’s contingency plans will take effect only on Monday.
The strike has altered travel plans for fans heading to events like Game 5 of the Knicks vs. Celtics at Madison Square Garden and a concert featuring Shakira and Pitbull at MetLife Stadium.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, along with Transit CEO Chris Kolli and railway engineers, are set to resume negotiations on Sunday, aiming to resolve the strike quickly.
