The potential NJ Transit Rail strike could disrupt around 350,000 daily commutes starting Friday, marking the first engineer strike in over four decades.
However, the emergency backups for public transport in New Jersey will likely fall short of addressing the issue.
NJ Transit is actively encouraging employees to work from home to minimize disruption.
When will the strike begin?
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have pledged to strike by midnight Friday.
Some NJ Transit riders may feel the impact even sooner.
This week, NJ Transit announced it would suspend bus and rail service for Shakira’s concerts on Thursday and Friday, which could affect about 82,500 attendees looking for alternative transportation to the venue.
Shakira is set to perform five shows starting May 22, so if the strike lasts, it might also impact Beyoncé’s upcoming tour.
What’s the backup plan?
As Washington mediators work towards a resolution, NJ Transit, which is the third-largest transit system in the U.S., has announced it will supply extra buses for commuters if the strike occurs.
However, officials admit that these buses can only accommodate about 20% of daily riders due to the much larger capacity of trains.
Charter buses will operate from four parking areas to the Manhattan Port Authority and Penn Station starting May 19, but no new routes will be available on the first day of the strike.
NJ Transit has alerted commuters via its website about the expected disruptions, noting that extra bus rides will be on a “first come, first served” basis.
The strike could significantly affect an estimated 350,000 commuters who depend on NJ Transit trains.
Kris Kolluri, the CEO of NJ Transit, noted that the agency is facing challenges in meeting wage increase demands for engineers.
“NJ Transit strongly encourages everyone who can work from home to do so, and to limit travel on the NJ Transit System to essential purposes,” the agency advised.
Besides the additional bus services, MTA has announced it will honor tickets for western commuters. NJ Transit plans to add buses to certain New York routes during peak hours, but it warns that Amtrak, Patco, and various private carriers will not honor these ticket agreements.
What are the chances of a strike?
The last major NJ Transit strike lasted about three weeks in 1983 before an agreement was reached.
As negotiations continue, unions are pressing for wage increases to align with those of other major rail engineers.
Kolluri claimed that NJ Transit offered wage increases from an average of $135,000 to $170,000, but the union contends those figures are outdated and not reflective of their current conditions.
The union stated that the average salary, including overtime, is around $113,000, which falls short compared to workers at Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Railroad.
Tom Haas, the union’s general chairman, expressed a desire for equal pay for equal work amidst what seems like ongoing hurdles with NJ Transit.
However, Kolluri maintains that the agency lacks the financial resources to meet these wage demands. “We can’t keep giving money to the left and right to solve the problem,” he remarked, questioning who would ultimately foot the bill.
NJ Transit has been severely impacted by a decrease in ridership during the pandemic. Last year, fares rose by 15%, marking the first increase in nearly a decade.
Additionally, the transit system is facing significant financial challenges, with its 2025 budget heavily reliant on federal pandemic funds that will no longer be available in 2026, potentially leading to a $767 million shortfall.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has indicated that all options, including declaring a state of emergency, will be considered should a strike occur.
