TRENTON, NJ — With the NJ Transit strike continuing to impact thousands of riders statewide, a group of Ocean County lawmakers is urging both transit leadership and union representatives to return to negotiations and resolve the dispute.
Senator Carmen Amato Jr., Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre released a joint statement Friday calling for “collaboration and compromise” to restore essential transit services. The lawmakers emphasized the need for both parties to prioritize New Jersey residents affected by the ongoing work stoppage.
“Reliable public transit is the backbone of daily life for so many of our residents,” Amato said. “We know how hard this disruption has been for commuters, families, and businesses.”
The group pointed to NJ Transit’s core mission of providing “safe, reliable, and affordable transit services with a skilled workforce” and argued the current labor strike undermines public trust in the agency.
Call for collaboration amid statewide disruption
Assemblyman Rumpf acknowledged the challenges involved in contract negotiations but stressed the urgency of restoring service. “Every effort must be made to restore service and minimize the impact on daily life,” he said.
Assemblyman Myhre echoed the sentiment, encouraging both sides to “reengage in open dialogue” and emphasizing the importance of protecting both riders and workers in any eventual agreement.
The legislators also commended the work of NJ Transit employees and recognized the pressures facing both labor and management during the impasse. They called on Governor Phil Murphy’s administration to continue supporting mediation efforts.
“New Jersey commuters need solutions—not standstills,” the delegation concluded.