Strike Stops Trains: How New Jersey Commutes Are Changing

A strike by locomotive engineers has halted train services in New Jersey. This is the second such strike in the 42-year history of NJ Transit. The strike began on March 16, 2024, after negotiations between NJ Transit and the union failed to produce a deal. This is a big deal because NJ Transit trains carry about 172, 000 people every day. The bus service will continue to operate, but it won't be able to handle all the passengers who usually take the train. The Governor, Phil Murphy, showed sympathy for the commuters. He said, "It's a mess of their own making, " referring to the locomotive engineers. He also said that the strike is a "slap in the face" to all the commuters and workers who rely on public transit. Tom Haas, the General Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, blamed NJ Transit. He said the agency "chose to ignore" opportunities to settle the wage issues through alternative cost savings. Both sides are willing to continue negotiating, and they will be meeting with the National Mediation Board on May 18. The strike has caused a lot of disruption for commuters. At Newark Penn Station, there were many NJ Transit representatives to help people. Some people had to take buses or cancel their trips. For example, Cynthia Battle, who usually takes the train to Plainfield and New York City, had to call a Lyft, which cost her $50 instead of the usual $10 train fare. She also had to cancel her trip to New York City. Daniel, another commuter, had to change multiple buses and was late for work. Even those who usually take the PATH train to New York City were affected. Elizabeth Flood, who lives in Hoboken, said her commute to her hometown in Ramsey was more affected than her commute to work in New York City. Laura Kounev of Summit had to switch to the PATH train, which took her over two hours door-to-door instead of the usual hour and 15 minutes. Live Schmidt, who works at Google, had to miss an event at the office because he couldn't get there on time. He said he could adapt to the lack of trains, but others might be feeling more stress. There are some alternatives for getting to New York City. NJ Transit's bus service and light rail are still running. PATH trains are also running on a normal schedule. Other options include Amtrak, private busing, ferry, or driving. However, driving might not be the best option due to congestion pricing tolls. It's important for commuters to stay informed and plan ahead. The strike has also affected events like the Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium. NJ Transit canceled its bus and rail service to the concert, but Coach USA is shuttling concertgoers from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the stadium and back. The strike is the result of a long-standing disagreement over wages. The engineers want to make a salary similar to what engineers make at other railroads, like Amtrak, the Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North. They argue that if NJ Transit doesn't meet their demands, they might lose engineers to other railroads. This has already happened this year. The strike is a reminder of the importance of public transit in our daily lives and the challenges that can arise when negotiations break down.