As a result of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers’ vote against a tentative agreement reached between NJ Transit and the BLET leadership, the BLET is threatening to disrupt the lives of more than 350,000 commuters by calling for a strike as early as 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 16.
This would result in the complete suspension of NJ Transit rail service, including Metro-North Railroad west of Hudson service. In advance of such a stoppage, NJ Transit has developed a contingency plan to accommodate an extremely limited number of rail customers. NJ Transit strongly encourages all those who can work from home to do so and limit traveling on the NJ Transit system to essential purposes only.
This contingency plan includes adding limited capacity to existing New York commuter bus routes near rail stations and contracting with private carriers to operate bus service from key regional Park & Ride locations during weekday peak periods.
“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 in a release. “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.”
In developing its contingency plan, NJ Transit focused available resources where demand is greatest—the more than 70,000 New York-bound customers, including customers who transfer from NJ Transit rail to PATH trains at Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station. NJ Transit estimates it can only carry roughly 20% of its current rail customers via other modes, as the bus system’s capacity cannot replace the railroad.
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