Newark, NJ – After a three-day rail stoppage that caused widespread disruption for New Jersey commuters, NJ Transit train service has officially resumed today, Tuesday, May 20th. The return to normal operations follows a tentative agreement reached over the weekend between NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET), the union representing the striking engineers.
The strike, which began at 12:01 AM on Friday, May 16th, marked the first transit walkout in New Jersey in over 40 years. It brought all 12 of NJ Transit’s commuter rail lines to a halt, affecting an estimated 100,000 to 350,000 daily riders who depend on the system for their commutes to New York City, Newark, and other destinations.
Commuters throughout the state had faced chaotic journeys, resorting to overcrowded buses, PATH trains, ferries, and increased reliance on personal vehicles. Businesses near train stations also reported significant drops in sales due to the lack of foot traffic. The inconvenience and added expense of alternative transportation methods left many riders frustrated.
“It’s a huge inconvenience,” one commuter stated during the strike, having to pay significantly more for an Amtrak ticket to get home. Another expressed, “It’s ridiculous. Like, we are just thinking it should be stopped immediately because it’s affecting our life.”
The core of the dispute revolved around wages, with the BLET advocating for pay parity with engineers at other regional transit agencies like Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road, citing higher cost of living in New Jersey and engineers leaving for better-paying jobs. While specifics of the tentative agreement have not yet been publicly released, both Governor Phil Murphy and NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri have hailed it as “fair and fiscally responsible.”
Governor Murphy emphasized that the agreement “reflects the commitment of both the BLET and NJ Transit to remain at the table engaging in productive conversations.” Kolluri added that the deal is “both fair for our locomotive engineers and affordable for our riders and New Jersey taxpayers,” asserting that it will not require significant fare increases. The union, for its part, indicated that the agreement boosts hourly pay beyond previous proposals.
Despite the agreement being reached on Sunday, train service did not immediately resume on Monday. NJ Transit officials explained that approximately 24 hours were needed to conduct crucial safety inspections of tracks, rail cars, and other infrastructure, as well as to preposition equipment for full scheduled service. During this transition, some contingency bus services from regional Park & Rides remained in operation.
With trains rolling out this morning, commuters are expressing a collective sigh of relief. The first scheduled trains on each rail line departed as planned, and NJ Transit’s trip planner and mobile app are fully operational for ticketing and travel planning.
While the tentative agreement has brought an end to the immediate disruption, it still requires ratification by the BLET members and approval by the NJ Transit Board of Directors, with the next board meeting scheduled for June 11th. Nevertheless, the resumption of service brings much-needed normalcy back to the daily lives of thousands across New Jersey.
