NJ Transit warns of full rail shutdown as engineers union threatens strike
NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit announced Saturday that its rail service could come to a complete halt beginning Friday due to a possible strike by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), prompting officials to urge riders to work from home and limit nonessential travel.
The union representing locomotive engineers voted down a tentative agreement reached with NJ Transit leadership, raising the threat of a stoppage that would affect over 350,000 daily commuters. If enacted, the strike would also suspend Metro-North service west of the Hudson River.
In response, NJ Transit released a contingency plan aimed at handling limited capacity for rail customers through bus alternatives and Park & Ride service options. The agency emphasized that only about 20% of current rail passengers could be accommodated through these measures.
“Customers should work from home if possible and only travel using NJ TRANSIT for essential purposes,” the agency posted Saturday. Service changes would include expanded peak-hour bus service and weekday-only operations from four Park & Ride sites: Secaucus Junction, PNC Bank Arts Center, Hamilton Station, and Woodbridge Center Mall.
Morning outbound and evening inbound buses will operate on a fixed weekday schedule, with no service during midday, nights, weekends or for reverse commuters.
Contingency plans and limited alternatives in place
Buses from the Park & Ride sites will transport commuters to New York City or PATH train stations. For example, buses will run from Secaucus Junction to the Port Authority Bus Terminal between 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and back from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In addition to the Park & Ride system, NJ Transit will add limited capacity to existing bus routes near affected rail lines. These include lines like 108, 112, 116, and 145, which serve key corridors such as the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line.
Ticketing accommodations will allow rail passes with New York, Newark, or Hoboken origins and destinations to be honored on NJ Transit bus and light rail services. However, these tickets will not be valid on Amtrak, PATH, MTA, or private bus carriers.
Fare structures for Park & Ride options vary by location. For example, a round trip from Hamilton Station to Newark Penn Station will cost $24 for adults, while service from PNC Arts Center to New York City will be $48 via Academy Bus.
For riders needing specific travel details, NJ Transit has directed customers to its rail stoppage website at njtransit.com/railstoppage, where information is broken down by rail line and station.
