As a result of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLET) membership voting down 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 Friday, May 16 at 12:01AM. 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 that would 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 in close proximity to rail stations and contracting with private carriers to operate bus service from key regional Park & Ride locations during weekday peak periods.
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 it can only carry approximately 20% of current rail customers via other modes, as the capacity of the bus system cannot replace the railroad.
Regional Park & Ride Service
Should the BLET choose to strike beginning May 16, Park & Ride service will operate on a first- come, first-served basis beginning on Monday, May 19, from four regional Park & Ride lots, weekdays only, during AM peak period inbound and PM peak period outbound. Times of operation are listed in the chart below. Hundreds of NJ TRANSIT personnel will be deployed at these Park & Ride lots, as well as rail stations throughout the system, to assist customers:
- 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)
- Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH Station
- Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station
No midday, late-night, weekend or reverse commute service will operate on these Park & Ride routes.
The Park & Ride locations were selected based on their size/parking capacity, access to regional highways, and geographical distribution.
Limited added capacity on existing NJ TRANSIT bus routes to/from NYC
NJ TRANSIT will enhance peak period service on existing New York bus routes in close proximity to rail stations. The routes are as follows:
- Northeast Corridor: 108, 112, 115 and 129 bus routes
- North Jersey Coast Line: 116 and 133/135 bus routes
- Raritan Valley Line: 112 and 113 bus routes
- Morris & Essex Lines: 107 bus route
- Montclair-Boonton Lines: 193 and 324 bus routes
- Main/Bergen County Lines: 145, 163, 164 and 190 bus routes
- Pascack Valley Line: 163, 164 and 165 bus routes
-via Press Release
