New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) is urging commuters to plan their travel before the end of the day Thursday, as ongoing negotiations might fail and lead to a rail strike. This potential disruption could impact approximately 350,000 daily riders in New Jersey and New York City.

Impact on Commuters and Events

The looming labor dispute is causing anxiety among commuters, particularly those heading to Shakira concerts scheduled for Thursday and Friday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. To mitigate disruptions, NJ Transit has suspended train and bus services servicing the stadium.

Contingency Plans and Alternative Options

In the event of a strike, which could commence at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, NJ Transit has outlined contingency measures. These include:

• Increased bus service with limited capacity, primarily on New York commuter routes near rail stations.
• Contracts with private carriers to provide bus service from key regional park-and-ride locations during peak hours.

However, NJ Transit cautioned that bus capacity will only accommodate about 20% of current rail commuters. It has recommended that those with flexible work arrangements consider remote work options during a strike.

Details on the Labor Dispute

NJ Transit, the third-largest transit system in the United States, plays a crucial role in public transportation by providing nearly a million trips on weekdays, including routes to New York City. A strike would halt all NJ Transit commuter train operations, severely affecting transit between New York City’s Penn Station and northern New Jersey communities, as well as service to Newark Airport.

Sticking Points in Negotiations

The ongoing negotiations have been primarily focused on wage disputes. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen claims that the average salary for its members is $113,000 annually, proposing a new average salary of $170,000. NJ Transit disputes these figures, stating that the engineers have average total earnings of about $135,000, with some surpassing $200,000.

If a strike occurs, it would mark the first transit work stoppage in New Jersey in over four decades, following a recent rejection of a labor agreement by the union members.

Ongoing Negotiations

The involved parties met earlier this week with a federal mediation board in Washington to discuss the matter, though both sides have refrained from commenting on the progress of the negotiations.