NJ Transit, the third-largest public transit provider in the U.S., operates 253 bus routes, 12 rail lines, and three light rail lines, facilitating nearly 270 million passenger trips annually. As of May 16, 2023, NJ Transit’s train services are suspended due to a strike by locomotive engineers, marking only the second strike in the company’s 42-year history. Engineers are advocating for salaries comparable to those at Amtrak and other regional rail operators, with the strikes arising from a failure to reach a new contract after negotiations since December 31, 2019.
Despite the halted train services, NJ Transit plans to enhance bus capacity to accommodate displaced commuters. CEO Kris Kolluri indicated that negotiations had been ongoing until the union’s strike decision. He highlighted the financial strain that increased wages for engineers would place on the agency, which is already in a precarious financial situation. Governor Phil Murphy expressed readiness to resume talks, emphasizing the need for a solution that balances fair compensation for engineers and affordability for taxpayers.
As work stoppages loom, the agency is implementing contingency plans to manage the influx of bus riders, even as these measures are expected to only meet about 20% of typical rail ridership. NJ Transit officials have underscored that a rise in engineers’ salaries could necessitate fare hikes or cuts in services. The situation remains tense, following a recent rejection by engineers of a proposed agreement, prompting renewed efforts from the National Mediation Board to facilitate discussions. Commuters are encouraged to explore alternative transportation options during this disruption.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
