The NJ Transit strike is officially underway as of midnight on Friday, May 16th — the first of its kind in the state in over 40 years.
According to a statement from the rail service: “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.”
If you’re a commuter and wondering how your daily routine will be affected, we’ll fill you in on what to expect.
NJ Transit strike — what commuters need to know
The NJ Transit is the third largest rail service in the U.S., and roughly 350,000 will be affected by the strike.
To account for the disruption, there is a contingency plan in place, including added capacity to existing New York bus routes and operation of a regional Park & Ride service, though it cannot accommodate for the total amount of travelers that typically utilize the system on a daily basis — only 20% in fact.
Per the NJT website, Park & Ride service will operate on a first come, first served basis beginning on Monday, May 19th on weekdays only during the morning and evening peak.
- 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)
- Customers should visit academybus.com for ticket purchase information
- Note: NJ TRANSIT tickets, including Monthly Passes, will not be accepted on Academy buses.
- Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH
- Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station
Those who are able to work from home are encouraged to do so.
How long will the NJ Transit strike last?
At this time, it is unclear how long the strike will last.
“We hope this is not a long strike. I was around for the 1983 strike, I’ve seen what that was like, it was a prolonged strike, and nobody wins out of that,” BLET National Vice President James Louis said, according to CBS.
Is the Path running today?
Yes. According to the Path, the schedules will operate as normal, but commuters should expect delays.
Are NJ transit buses running today?
Yes, buses are running. This strike only affects the rail commuters. The buses will add extra capacity to accommodate for those who are out of service due to the strike, but there is expected to be a large crowd.
Is Amtrak affected by NJ Transit strike?
No, Amtrak is not affected by the NJ Transit strike.
However, do keep in mind that fares for Amtrak are significantly more expensive than NJT. According to The New York Times, a one-way ticket on NJ Transit from Trenton to Penn Station in New York City is $19.25, but on the morning of the strike, the fare on Amtrak was as much as $118.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.