A complete shutdown by New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) engineers started early on Friday, May 16, 2025, throwing the morning commute of more than 350,000 passengers into chaos. The service disruption runs on rail lines throughout New Jersey and into New York City, causing widespread anger and delays.
Engineers Walk Off After Failed Talks
The BLET called for the walkout at 12:01 a.m. after months of unsuccessful negotiations with NJ Transit. What was the main sticking point? Compensation.
BLET contends NJ Transit can afford luxuries but not its frontline workers. “Enough is enough,” chimed BLET National President Mark Wallace. “They came up with half a billion dollars for a new fancy headquarters and $20 million for a fare break. But frontline workers are still waiting for fair pay.”
Picket lines rapidly cropped up outside key locations such as Penn Station in New York, Atlantic City Rail Terminal, and NJ Transit headquarters in Newark.
Rail Service Halted Statewide
Hoboken officials were among the first to send out an official warning. “All NJ Transit rail service will be suspended,” their declaration stated. Cities in the region rushed to relay information to commuters stranded or looking for substitutes.
The previous major disruption in this type of way was in 1983. Then, thousands were packed into carpools and buses when there was a Metro-North strike. That lasted a month. Administrators are now worried that history might repeat itself.
The Numbers Behind the Dispute
NJ Transit President Kris Kolluri says the company offered a generous deal: increasing the average salary of engineers to $172,000 from $135,000. But BLET turned it down, allegedly requesting an average of $220,000.
“This is not a serious proposal,” Kolluri said last month. “They’re playing chicken with 350,000 lives.”
But BLET argues the salary amounts NJ Transit is using are old. Union Chair Tom Haas said their latest proposal is “only 2% higher than what NJ Transit insisted we take.”
Alternatives Fall Short
The strike only impacts rail service. Buses and light rail continue to run. NJ Transit cross-honors rail fares on those systems. However, transit officials acknowledge that fewer than 20% of regular rail riders can be absorbed by current bus and light rail capacity.
Furthermore, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) started cross-honouring West-of-Hudson tickets. It is to relieve the pressure. They encourage commuters to look on the MTA website for alternative routing.
A Glimmer of Progress Elsewhere
NJ Transit has recently negotiated a tentative agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). This might provide partial relief. “This tentative agreement represents a commitment to employees and riders alike,” Kolluri explained.
That agreement, though, doesn’t do much to assuage the rail shutdown that is crippling one of the most important U.S. commuter corridors.
A Region in Gridlock
Traffic flooded onto highways funneling into Manhattan, and ride-hailing apps recorded skyrocketing fares during the rush hour. Businesses throughout New York City are preparing for gridlock, and numerous companies reinstated work-at-home policies briefly.
Local government leaders are urging patience and cooperation. But to many commuters, this is one more reminder about how much the area relies upon a tenuous rail network.
What’s Next?
As of today, there is no definitive end in sight. The National Mediation Board tried last-minute negotiations in Washington, D.C. earlier this week. But the inability to come to an agreement indicates the strike may be days or even weeks long. The union is resolute. The agency is obstinate. And in the middle are hundreds of thousands of commuters.
Bottom line:
If and unless talks resume shortly, the NJ Transit strike is going to continue causing gridlock, delays, and intense frustration throughout New Jersey and New York.
