A single snow blower would have been cheaper and more efficient use of NJ Transit spending after this weekend’s snow storm
NEWARK, N.J. – A social media post from NJ Transit meant to highlight the agency’s winter cleanup efforts has instead drawn widespread ridicule, after a photo showed more than a dozen workers clearing train platforms with nothing but shovels — and not a single snowblower in sight.
The agency posted the update early Friday, writing, “Even though all NJ TRANSIT service is currently suspended, crews are hard at work around the state clearing snow from platforms and facilities across the system. We appreciate your patience and will share updates as they become available.”
The photo attached showed a line of orange-vested workers digging through heavy snow at what appeared to be a rail platform. Within hours, the post had attracted hundreds of comments — many mocking NJ Transit for what critics called “inefficient, old-school” snow removal methods.
“Fourteen people with shovels and not one snowblower,” wrote one commenter. “That’s the most NJ Transit thing I’ve ever seen.”
Public backlash piles up
Many commuters expressed disbelief that one of the nation’s largest transit agencies — which operates hundreds of miles of rail lines across the state — appeared to rely solely on manpower rather than mechanized equipment to clear platforms.
“I clean more area with a snowblower in 10 minutes,” wrote user Ashwini Dhume. “Love how overtime works.”
Another user, Michael Shertel, asked bluntly, “You don’t have snowblowers?” while others joked that the scene looked like a “chain gang” or “a union training day.”
“If only there was a gas-powered machine for such tasks,” wrote another commenter, adding an eye-roll emoji.
Some observers poked fun at the workers’ coordination, with one post reading, “Way to use manpower. Everyone shovel the same spot at the same time!”
Others zeroed in on a few workers standing off to the side. “Is that guy’s arm broken? Grab a shovel!” one person quipped.
Union workers defended by some commenters
While much of the reaction was critical, a few commenters came to the defense of the NJ Transit crews, pointing out that workers are often restricted by safety regulations near live tracks.
“I don’t know why people are making fun of these hard-working men,” wrote commenter Nicole Castino. “They are union workers and they’re busting their asses so people can take the train. They are not allowed to have a snowblower close to the tracks.”
Others noted that even with service suspended, train operations staff sometimes continue running equipment to clear switches and maintain power systems.
“There were times we operators helped even when the trains weren’t running passengers,” wrote one NJ Transit employee. “The trains still have to be run to clear the switches.”
Questions over efficiency and optics
Still, many commenters argued the optics of the video reinforced long-standing frustrations with NJ Transit’s efficiency and spending priorities.
The agency, which has faced criticism in recent years over delays, service cuts, and fare increases, appeared tone-deaf to some riders by posting what looked like a labor-intensive snow removal effort that could have been handled more effectively with proper equipment.
“It’s the most union thing I’ve seen,” one person wrote, “but at least they’re all shoveling instead of just one guy while the others watch.”
Some compared the effort unfavorably to private property management operations. “Newport Mall has snowplows inside the building,” one commenter joked. “Meanwhile, NJ Transit’s out here with shovels.”
Others expressed frustration that NJ Transit seemed to focus on rail stations while ignoring bus stops. “Are you planning on clearing snow at all bus stops?” wrote Carmen Iris. “For the last storm, we had to climb snow just to get on the bus.”
NJ Transit has not responded to criticism
The incident comes amid an ongoing debate about the agency’s preparedness for winter weather and infrastructure maintenance. Riders have complained that storms frequently disrupt service for days, even as crews work around the clock to restore operations.
For many online, though, the photo summed up a deeper frustration. “That right there is New Jersey’s version of progress,” one commenter wrote. “Fourteen guys, one shovel each, and nowhere to go.”