NJ Transit Rail Service Shuts Down as Locomotive Engineers Go on Strike Over Wages
Rail service across the NJ Transit network came to a halt at midnight on Friday after more than 450 locomotive engineers walked off the job, citing unresolved wage disputes, as per Fox News.
The strike, led by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), follows months of failed negotiations with NJ Transit and affects hundreds of thousands of daily commuters.
The work stoppage officially began at 12:01 a.m., forcing a system-wide “safe shutdown” of the nation’s third-largest commuter rail network. Trains already en route were permitted to complete their trips, but no new departures occurred after the deadline.
Dispute Over Unratified Wage Agreement
The strike stems from a breakdown in negotiations over a wage agreement that had been tentatively reached on March 10 but never finalized. According to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, BLET remains the only one of 15 unions that has not signed onto the pattern bargaining deal initially agreed upon.
“I have always said that any deal we reach would have to be fair to our engineers and fiscally responsible without burdening our riders or the taxpayers of New Jersey,” said Kris Kolluri, NJ Transit’s President and CEO. “While we, unfortunately, were unable to finalize a deal Thursday night, I remain committed to staying at the table for as long as it takes to restore service.”
Massive Disruption for Commuters
The strike is expected to impact approximately 350,000 riders, prompting urgent calls for employers to allow remote work where possible to ease pressure on the region’s limited alternative transportation options.
Governor Murphy expressed frustration over the breakdown, warning that the public would bear the brunt of the disruption. “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,” he said. “Ultimately, it is the people of New Jersey who will suffer because of this strike.”
To mitigate the shutdown’s effects, a contingency bus plan will be activated on Monday, focusing on providing essential service during weekday peak periods. The state plans to enhance select New York-bound commuter routes and contract with private carriers to serve four regional Park & Ride locations. However, Murphy acknowledged the limited capacity: “The bus system can only accommodate about 20% of current rail customers. It cannot replace the railroad.”
At Penn Station in New York City, signs reading “Rail Service Suspended” greeted commuters early Friday morning, while crowds gathered in confusion and frustration. Many NJ Transit customers were left scrambling to make alternate travel arrangements.
Murphy is expected to speak on the issue at the Aberdeen-Matawan Train Station later Friday morning.
Negotiations between NJ Transit and the BLET remain ongoing, though no new timetable for a resolution has been set. Until then, the strike continues to disrupt one of the busiest commuter corridors in the United States.
