Ghost Train’s Final Call to Jersey
The usually bustling transit hub felt pretty eerie on Fridays lately. NJ Transit engineers have gone on strike, impacting rail services across the state and leaving travelers at places like Penn Station in New York with a haunting atmosphere.
This past Friday, during the early rush hour, the Manhattan Transit Stop platform had an almost apocalyptic feel as the strike followed a long-standing wage dispute—marking the first major strike affecting transportation in over four decades.
The Garden State train terminal, which notably includes the Harrison Pass station, was particularly quiet.
“I left home really early for this,” recounted David Milosevic, a fashion and advertising casting director, upon arriving at the Midtown Port Authority from Montclair, New Jersey.
Typically, Friday rail commutes from New Jersey to New York are the lightest of the week. So, Milosevic and other travelers expressed concern about what might happen if the strike extends into Monday.
“I don’t think many people come on Fridays since COVID. Honestly, I’m not sure what will unfold on Monday,” he reflected.
“Most people work from home on Fridays, so it’s pretty much business as usual today,” said Cem Teber, a 31-year-old lawyer, after diverting from the trains to catch a bus from North Bergen.
“Next week will be the real test, and we’ll see how it pans out,” he added cautiously.
Anthony Wilkerson, a 34-year-old from West Orange, mentioned he had gotten his morning “fix” before lunchtime but worried the bus system might become overwhelmed next week.
Interestingly, early indications suggested that the strike didn’t lead to major traffic backups or excessively long lines at the bus stations.
However, as the morning progressed, some commuters without the option to work remotely were scrambling for alternative transport as they were caught off-guard by the strike.
“I thought about checking Amtrak, but it was $108. I only have $70 in my pocket,” shared one commuter, 63, who needed to get to a construction job in Trenton from Manhattan.
Desperate for his paycheck, he mentioned his boss suggested the bus from the Port Authority, likely a three-hour trip.
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“I’ve gone five months without work at times, so now I really need to earn,” he said, stressing the importance of paying rent.
Jay Santana, a doorman, faced a similar situation—his shift was too close to the strike deadline, forcing him to spend the night in the restroom.
“I might try Amtrak to get a train to Trenton, then grab a taxi or an Uber from there,” he said, contemplating the long journey ahead.
“I’m taking off for the weekend but returning Monday morning. That should be easier for me, I guess,” he noted.
The strike arose after negotiation efforts between NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Union broke down.
The union is pushing for a salary increase for 450 engineers dating back to 2019, and it also aims to improve wages for other commuter railroads like Amtrak and the Long Island Railroad.
NJ Transit claims they can’t afford pay hikes as they are negotiating with 14 other unions seeking better wages.
They asserted that engineers currently earn an average of $135,000, with management offering salary adjustments that could lead to an average of $172,000. The union countered these figures, stating the true average is closer to $113,000.
Mark Wallace, president of the Brotherhood, insists on continuing the strike until engineers receive fair treatment.
“In six years as engineers, they’ve not seen a raise. They’re earning $10 an hour less than those at the Long Island Railroad and Amtrak,” he stated.
