NJ Transit rail workers are on strike for the first time in 40 years. NJ Transit riders will be stuck without their regular rail services due to the strike that began at 12:01AM on Friday, May 16th. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), the labor union representing railroad workers, has authorized the action after being unable to come to an agreement about wages with NJ Transit (NJT) in re-negotiating its contract. Leadership from NJT and the BLET have been meeting with mediators with the National Mediation Board in Washington, DC this week, but were unable to reach a deal. Read on for more about the transit strike, which took effect as of Friday May 16th at 12 midnight.

NJ Transit Strike's Impact

Approximately 350,000 riders use NJ Transit daily and will be impacted by the strike. NJT has encouraged anyone who can work remotely during this time to do so, and has shared its contingency plan for the system. NJT admits that the plan will keep things moving, but at a reduced rate. “NJ TRANSIT estimates that it can only carry approximately 20% of current rail customers via other modes, as the capacity of the bus system cannot replace the railroad,” according to a statement.

Due to the potential rail service stoppage, NJ TRANSIT will not be operating train or bus service to MetLife Stadium for the Shakira concerts on May 15th and 16th. Visit https://t.co/cvpCPhJSbd for more information & travel options. pic.twitter.com/eMZh0Ca3qA

— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) May 13, 2025

NJT has also cancelled service to and from MetLife Stadium, where there are two performances by singer Shakira this weekend, one of which is sold out.

How long will the NJ Transit strike last? 

It is unknown at this time how long negotiations could take. Negotiations expect to continue this Sunday, May 18th, 2025.

What will be affected transport-wise from the strike?

NJ Transit trains will be affected.

What options do I have to commute if trains and light rail are down?

PATH, buses, and ferries are expected to run as normal (albeit more crowded) — and NY Waterway will also be adding ferry service. NJ Transit is urging customers to work from home, and only use NJ Transit as necessary. More info at http://njtransit.com/railstoppage.

How can I get a refund for train tickets?

Those who bought train tickets before or during the strike can request a refund on NJ Transit's customer service page here. NJ Transit's refunds page notes that due to the overwhelming volume of requests, processing times have increased to fulfill requests.

Why is the NJ Transit Strike happening?

The locomotive engineers of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLET) have voted to strike, which means the complete suspension of NJ TRANSIT rail service, including Metro-North west of Hudson service.

Mark Wallace, the union’s national president, said in a statement [about NJ Transit], “They have money for penthouse views and pet projects, just not for their frontline workers. Enough is enough. We will stay out until our members receive the fair pay that they deserve.”

In a statement, union officials said NJ Transit engineers make at least $10 an hour less than engineers who work for passenger railroads that share the same train platforms, such as Amtrak, Long Island Railroad and Metro North.

“Our members at NJ Transit had the full support of our national union, as well as the Teamsters,” said Mark Wallace, BLET National President in a statement.

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.

NJT’s full contingency plan is available online, and the agency will provide updates on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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