Commuters, These Are Your Options If NJ Transit Rail Strike Happens

NEW JERSEY — A potential strike by NJ Transit train workers could happen as early as this week and will likely leave hundreds of thousands of Garden State residents scrambling to figure out transportation to and from work.

NJ Transit train service may stop as early as Friday due to failed contract negotiations between the agency and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. The strike would result in the complete suspension of rail service, including Metro-North west of Hudson service.

A strike threatens to disrupt the lives of more than 350,000 commuters, the agency said.

While NJ Transit officials have since encouraged residents to work from home if they can and use mass transit for essential travel only, that may not be an option for some workers.

NJ Transit and other agencies developed contingency plans for commuters who must travel, which offer several options.

NJ Transit Buses

In developing its contingency plan, NJ Transit said the agency focused available resources on the largest segment of its rail customer base — the more than 70,000 New York-bound commuters, including those who transfer from NJ Transit rail to PATH trains at Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station.

While the agency added capacity to New York bus routes and regional Park & Ride service, officials estimate that only 20 percent of current rail customers can be accommodated.

Should a strike start on Friday, Park & Ride service will operate on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Monday from four key regional Park & Ride lots. Service will be weekdays only during the inbound AM peak period and the outbound PM peak period outbound at the locations listed below:

• Secaucus Junction to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York
• NC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York (operated by Academy Bus)
  • Customers should visit academybus.com for ticket purchase information.
  • Note: NJ Transit tickets, including monthly passes, will not be accepted on Academy buses.
• Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH
• Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station

Learn more about fares and hours of operation for supplemental bus routes.

NJ Transit will also enhance peak period service on existing New York bus routes near 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 routes
• 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

The agency said all other NJ Transit bus routes and Light Rail will continue to operate on regular schedules. For those using Access Link, officials said service will operate normally; however, customers should anticipate longer travel times as a result of anticipated increases in traffic and additional passengers in vehicles.

Private Buses

Private bus service Boxcar said it plans to launch emergency service across its entire network to ensure commuters can get where they need to go. According to a statement from the company, Boxcar will double its Bergen Bullet schedule and add 1,000 additional seats by Friday and another 2,000 seats by Monday across other routes.

See Boxcar's emergency bus additions according to route.

Additionally, a complete list of bus carriers operating at the Midtown Bus Terminal can be found online.

Coach Bus USA also offers bus service between Port Jervis and Manhattan. Details about their service are available via their website. Monsey Trails and Monroe Bus Lines offer service to Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Please see each company’s website for specific details.

MTA

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said in a news release it is prepared to help Metro-North Railroad’s Port Jervis Line and Pascack Valley Line customers get to and from New York City during any potential disruption of train service if a labor agreement isn’t reached between NJ Transit, which operates those lines, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

“While the MTA is not part of this labor dispute, we may be affected by it and we’re taking steps to minimize disruptions for MTA customers,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We will be cross-honoring West of Hudson tickets and supporting a range of alternative travel options, and riders in Orange County and Rockland County should sign up for service alerts for the latest information.”

The Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry, which connects to Ossining Station on the Hudson Line, will cross-honor Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Line tickets. Free parking is available at Haverstraw.

The Newburgh-Beacon Ferry continues to be replaced by shuttle bus service and connects to Beacon Station on the Hudson Line. It will cross-honor Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Line tickets. Free parking is available at Newburgh.

MTA said Metro-North Railroad also encourages customers to consider taking one of the Hudson Link buses, connecting Suffern, Spring Valley, Palisades Mall and other locations with nearby Metro-North stations at Tarrytown and White Plains.

Learn more on the MTA's website.

Amtrak

While Amtrak doesn't plan to honor NJ Transit tickets purchased by its rail commuters, according to a NJ Advance Media report, the passenger train does offer frequent trips into Manhattan with stops in Trenton, East Brunswick and Newark.

Port Authority

On weekdays, PATH Commuter Rail service will operate on a normal schedule.

"As always, PATH will monitor stations and add service as necessary to address any unsafe crowding conditions. During peak hours, customers could experience temporary crowding conditions," the Port Authority said in a statement. "Those who do not need to ride during peak hours are urged to avoid the system during that time."

Beginning May 16, the Port Authority will also operate free, direct shuttle bus service between Newark-Penn Station and AirTrain Newark’s P4 station every 20 minutes. The free shuttle buses will not operate between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., traditionally when NJ Transit does not operate rail service.

Travelers should allow additional travel time and expect crowded conditions on buses and at stations, the Port Authority said.

Learn more about Port Authority travel options online.