Due to the Strike, Rail Service is Not Operating; Commuters Urged to Work from Home if Possible; Contingency Bus Service to Launch Monday
Matawan, NJ
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy joined NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri to remind commuters that locomotive engineers have opted to strike rather than agree to terms of a new contract. As a result, the rail system throughout New Jersey is now shut down. Contingency bus service is scheduled to launch Monday morning.
“It is unfortunate that locomotive engineers have opted to disrupt the lives of 350,000 NJ TRANSIT riders rather than continue working through ongoing negotiations,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Nevertheless, we are enacting contingency plans and ask all New Jerseyans to be patient as we adjust during this challenging time. Meanwhile, we are ready to restart negotiations immediately to reach a fair deal for both workers and taxpayers and bring this strike to a swift end.”
“I remain confident that a deal is within reach, but it has to be fair to the union and fiscally sustainable for the agency,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “While the negotiations will resume this weekend, we have a contingency plan in place to address the needs of our riders. Supplemental bus service cannot fully replace trains, but we are prepared to support our customers with highly visible ambassadors to help them navigate these interim measures. Meanwhile, I remain committed, as I have been since my first day on the job in January, to staying at the bargaining table for as long as it takes to get an agreement finalized. We owe it to the 350,000 customers whose lives have just been disrupted.”
The strike comes after a tentative agreement was reached on March 10, 2025, that the leadership of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET) previously called “fair and fiscally responsible.” BLET is the only union of NJ TRANSIT’s 15 rail unions that has not signed the initial pattern bargaining agreement.
Contingency Plan
On April 30, NJ TRANSIT announced its contingency plan should the union opt to strike. 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 that the contingency plan can accommodate approximately 20% of current rail customers, as the capacity of the bus system cannot replace the railroad. This contingency plan includes enhancing select existing New York commuter bus routes in close proximity to rail stations and contracting with private carriers to operate bus service from four regional Park & Ride locations across the state during weekday peak periods.
NJ TRANSIT strongly encourages employers to allow their employees to work from home if possible, limiting travel on the NJ TRANSIT system to essential purposes only.
NJ TRANSIT customers without access to internet will have access to live operator assistance 24 hours a day by calling (973) 275-5555.
For more information, please visit NJ TRANSIT website.
