NJ TRANSIT CONTINGENCY SERVICE PLAN FOR POSSIBLE RAIL STOPPAGE

Commuters Encouraged to Work From Home If Possible and Limit Traveling on the NJ TRANSIT System to Essential Purposes Only

April 30, 2025

NEWARK, NJ — 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.

“While the NJ TRANSIT team is doing everything possible to provide alternative travel options in the event of a stoppage, our focus remains on preventing one altogether,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “I have met with union leadership several times and will continue to negotiate in good faith, because a strike isn’t good for employees, and it certainly isn’t good for the 350,000 customers who depend on us every day.”

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

Park & Ride Service Times of Operation

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

Other NJ TRANSIT Services

• Bus: All other NJ TRANSIT bus routes will continue to operate on regular schedules.

   

• Light Rail:  Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River LINE service will operate regular weekday schedules. 

   

• Access Link:  Service will operate normally, however customers should anticipate longer travel times as a result of anticipated increases in traffic, and additional passengers in vehicles.

Ticketing

All existing valid rail tickets and passes with an origin or destination of New York, Newark or Hoboken will be accepted for travel on all Park & Ride services, and will be accepted on NJ TRANSIT buses and light rail lines.

Customers should purchase the following tickets from their bus Park & Ride origin:

• Secaucus Junction to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York

  • Customers should purchase a Secaucus – New York rail ticket, available on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app or from a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at Secaucus

• PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York (Academy)
  • Customers should visit academybus.com for ticket purchase information
• Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH

  • Customers should purchase a Hamilton – Newark rail ticket, available on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app or from a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at Hamilton

• Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station

  • Customers should purchase a Woodbridge – Newark rail ticket on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app

Fares from regional Park & Rides are based on the existing fares from those locations.  Adult, senior/disabled, and child fares will also be available, as follows:

Cross-Honoring

NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes will be cross-honored on all NJ TRANSIT bus and light rail lines. 

Important note: NJ TRANSIT tickets and passes will not be accepted on Amtrak, PATH, PATCO, SEPTA, ferry or private carrier buses. Customers using these services must purchase separate fares from those service providers.

For additional information on alternative services from specific rail stations please visit njtransit.com/abc and click on your rail line to bring up your particular station.

Web Site and Travel Information

NJ TRANSIT has created a special web page available at njtransit.com/railstoppage with the latest travel information across modes. 

Information on NJ TRANSIT’s website is available in a variety of languages using Google Translate. To use a language other than English, click on “Select Language” at the upper right corner of the homepage and click on the language of your choice.

Customers may also access NJ TRANSIT’s X (Twitter) feed at @NJTRANSIT or the service accounts listed below.  Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via push notifications in the Mobile App and through the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your smartphone. Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555. 

• X: @NJTRANSIT
• @NJTRANSIT_HBLR
• @NJTRANSIT_NLR
• @NJTRANSIT_RL
• @NJTRANSIT_NBUS (North Jersey Bus)
• @NJTRANSIT_SBUS (South Jersey Bus)
• @NJTRANSIT_AL (Access Link)
• Facebook:  facebook.com/NJTRANSIT
• YouTube Channel:  TheNewJerseyTransit

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 263 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.