N.J. Transit Strike: 23-Mile Backups, 10K More Cars Per Hour, NJT Officials Say

If thousands of union workers go on strike at 12:01 a.m. March 13, New Jersey Transit will implement a contingency plan, but it won’t be able to accommodate nearly half of its daily volume.

And that means the entire state’s traveling population will bear the burden on the roadways.

The union and transit organization met last Friday to negotiate and have a meeting set for Friday, March 4 for another negotiation session. In public statements made by both sides in February, the two sides were still very far apart.

In an 11 a.m. press conference in Secaucus Thursday, New Jersey Transit officials outlined the contingency plan and made sure to explain the drastic cuts coming to service in addition to increased car traffic expected, especially for travelers heading into New York City.

Focusing on that group of rail customers who travel between New Jersey and New York, officials said some 105,000 passengers use New Jersey Transit daily. In the event of a work stoppage, new bus services – using current vehicles and adding private carriers – through NJT will only be able to accommodate about 40,000 customers daily, or 38-percent of its average customer base.

See related: NJ Transit Strike Looming, Union Announces

As a result, NJT expects some 10,000 more cars per hour on New Jersey roads during peak morning travel times. The Northeast Corridor and Morris/Essex Lines will be hit hardest, officials said.

Officials estimated a 23-mile backup for Route 78 travelers heading into the Holland Tunnel and a 21-mile backup for travelers heading into Manhattan through the Lincoln Tunnel. Further north, a nine-mile backup is projected for George Washington Bridge travelers.

New Jersey Transit Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin said the issue could not be overstated and painted a nightmare scenario if the more than 4,000 union workers go on strike.

“In the next week, get to know the people on your train who board at the same location as you,” Martin said. “Work out carpooling options. You can’t travel solo anymore if the strike happens.”

Martin went on to encourage employers to be flexible with their scheduling and, if possible, allow for telecommuting one day a week, which would lead to an estimated 20-percent drop in travelers.

There will be no rail service whatsoever, and only bus service from five locations throughout the state for travelers heading into New York City. For bus riders, there will be no midday, evening, or weekend transportation available.

The bus routes, according to NJT, are as follows:

Regional Park-Ride Service
Park-ride service will operate on a first come, first served basis from five key regional park-ride lots, weekdays only, during four-hour AM inbound (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and four-hour PM outbound (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) peak periods.

• MetLife Stadium to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York
• PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel to New York City (Academy Bus)
• Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station for PATH service
• Metropark Rail Station to Harrison PATH Station
• Ramsey/Route 17 Rail Station to Lincoln Harbor Ferry, Weehawken

No midday, evening, weekend or reverse commute service will operate on these park-ride routes.

Park-ride locations were selected based on their size/parking capacity, access to regional highways, and geographical distribution. Access to area PATH stations and ferry service also was analyzed to minimize congestion at Hudson River crossings.

Enhanced NJ TRANSIT New York Bus Service
NJ TRANSIT will enhance peak period service on 29 existing New York bus routes in close proximity to rail stations. The routes are:

• Northeast Corridor: 108, 112, 115 and 129 bus routes
• North Jersey Coast Line: 116 and 133/135 bus routes
• Raritan Valley Line: 113 and 114X bus routes
• Morris & Essex Lines: 107X and 114X bus routes
• Montclair-Boonton Lines: 191X and 324 bus routes
• Main/Bergen County Lines: 145, 160L, 160T, 160P, 163P, 164SX, 190P/D, 190R, 190X and 192X bus routes
• Pascack Valley Line: 151, 162, 163L, 165P, 165R and 165T bus routes

In addition, to accommodate Atlantic City Rail Line customers, NJ TRANSIT will enhance service on the 554 bus route, which operates between Atlantic City and Lindenwold. At Lindenwold, customers can connect with PATCO service to Philadelphia. PATCO will cross honor Atlantic City Rail Line tickets and passes to/from Philadelphia (8th & Market St. Station).

To lessen traffic congestion and delays at the Lincoln Tunnel and to take advantage of the proximity to connecting PATH and ferry service, NJ TRANSIT will make the following service adjustments in the event of a rail stoppage:

• The 156R, 158 and 159R bus routes serving the River Road corridor will terminate at the Port Imperial Ferry Terminal in Weehawken on weekdays, enabling cross honoring with connecting NY Waterway ferry service. Weekend service will operate on its regular route to/from New York.
• The 126 bus route in Hoboken will operate on a reverse routing on weekday mornings, beginning at Willow Avenue and 19th Street and operating south to Hoboken Terminal for cross honoring with PATH and ferry service. In the evening, the 126 bus route will operate from Hoboken Terminal back to Willow Avenue and 19th Street. Weekend service will operate on its regular route to/from New York.