More than 350,000 daily New Jersey Transit riders traveling between New Jersey and New York City could find themselves scrambling on Friday, May 16, not only to get to work everyday but even to head to weekend fun.
NJ Transit engineers rallied outside NJ Transit’s Newark headquarters demanding fair compensation and improved working conditions. If the strike ensues, it will be New Jersey’s first rail shutdown in more than 40 years.
The agency “strongly encourages all those who can work from home to do so” and limit traveling on any NJ Transit system unless it is absolutely necessary.
“If anyone’s commute is disrupted because workers are forced to strike, it’s the fault of the executives who mismanage New Jersey Transit,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The employer wants to pay these workers below the industry standard. They’ve been bargaining for six years. It’s time for the railroad to quit playing games with our members and finally give them the fair deal they’ve earned.”
- Boxcar, a private bus service that operates six routes in Morris, Union, Essex and Bergen counties, doubled its bus service in Bergen.
- NY Waterway is prepared to increase capacity and frequency of ferry service between New Jersey and Manhattan based on demand.
Contingency Plans
According to NJ Transit, “Park & Ride service will operate on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Monday, May 19, from four regional Park & Ride lots, weekdays only, during AM peak period inbound and PM peak period outbound.”
◾Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Stationrs (BLET) strikes,
◾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
Bus Routes To, From NYC
Existing NJ Transit bus routes to and from New York City will have some expanded capacity. The agency will enhance peak period service on existing New York bus routes, including the following:
- 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
Travelers are advised to get to their destinations by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 15 in case rail service is suspended for the strike.
This will be the second-ever strike in NJ Transit history after workers walked off the job for 34 days in 1983.
In preparation for the possible strike, NJ Transit nixed service to the Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium on Thursday and Friday. Commuters are advised to plan for travel alternatives.