Lauren Rivera 
Boarding NJ Transit trains may not be possible for New York-bound commuters come May 16th. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers + Trainmen, the labor union representing NJ Transit locomotive engineers, has threatened to strike on that day. If this were to happen, the NJ Transit rail service would undergo a complete suspension, impacting approximately 350,000 people, including 70,000 travellers who transfer to PATH trains at Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station. Read on for what to know about this potential NJ Transit strike and what it would mean for local commuters.
The Failed Agreement
In late April, 87% of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers leaders + Trainmen leadership (BLET), the labor union representing NJ Transit engineers, voted down a tentative agreement with NJ Transit, citing the need for higher wages. Currently, engineers make an average of $135,000 annually, with the highest earners surpassing $200,000, according to a statement released by NJ Transit.
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This agreement, initially proposed by NJ Transit, would have permitted locomotive engineers to make $172,856 beginning on July 1st, 2027, with the highest-paid locomotive engineer earning $286,000, an offer that the agency claims is competitive within the Northern New Jersey region. “It isn’t reasonable to live and work in New Jersey, but demand to be paid like you live and work in New York,” NJ Transit said in a statement.
BLET has proposed a salary increase of $314,174 in 2027. NJ Transit, hesitant to accept the union’s proposal, has claimed that “BLET’s current demands would cost taxpayers and NJ Transit $1.363 billion between July 2025 and June 2030,” this being “$684 million more than what was tentatively agreed to by BLET leadership in March.” To accept the union’s current demands, NJ Transit would need to either increase commuter fares by 17% and the corporate transit fee by 27%, starting in the 2026 fiscal year, or implement “drastic reductions to service systemwide.”
Unless BLET leaders and NJ Transit come to a new agreement, BLET has threatened to strike on Friday, May 16th at 12:01AM. This would lead to a full shutdown of all NJ TRANSIT rail services, including the Metro-North Railroad west of Hudson service.
What Would This Mean for NJ TRANSIT Commuters?
NJ Transit has estimated that this strike would affect 350,000 daily NJ Transit travellers, with 70,000 New York-bound commuters who transfer from NJ Transit rail to PATH trains at Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station being the most impacted.
The agency has drafted a contingency plan in case the strike does happen. Alternative services, which NJ Transit states would cost taxpayers $4 million per day, include New York bus routes and Park + Ride. The bus routes include:
- Northeast Corridor: 108, 112, 115, + 129 bus routes
- North Jersey Coast Line: 116 + 133/135 bus routes
- Raritan Valley Line: 112 + 113 bus routes
- Morris + Essex Lines: 107 bus route
- Montclair-Boonton Lines: 193 + 324 bus routes
- Main/Bergen County Lines: 145, 163, 164, + 190 bus routes
- Pascack Valley Line: 163, 164, + 165 bus routes
Beginning May 19th, the Park + Ride service would operate on a first-come, first-served basis from four regional lots on weekdays only. These include:
- 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
- Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station
“Hundreds of NJ Transit personnel will be deployed at these Park + Ride lots, as well as rail stations throughout the system, to assist customers,” the agency has said.
Although alternative transportation services would be available to NJ Transit travelers, it is estimated that only 20% of people would be accommodated. “Buses do not have enough capacity to replace the railroad,” NJ Transit said. “Without NJ Transit rail service operating, existing bus and light rail customers would experience overcrowding and longer commutes. New Jerseyans would also experience additional significant traffic congestion.”
The agency has encouraged those who can work from home during this period to do so.
“While the NJ Transit team is doing everything possible to provide alternative travel options in the event of a stoppage, our focus remains on preventing one altogether,” NJ Transit President + CEO Kris Kolluri said. “I have met with union leadership several times and will continue to negotiate in good faith, because a strike isn’t good for employees, and it certainly isn’t good for the 350,000 customers who depend on us every day.”
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