On May 16 (Friday), the New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) driver’s union went on strike as scheduled, causing disruptions to an estimated 350,000 commuters in the tri-state area. Over the weekend, Penn Station in New York City, usually bustling with activity, appeared eerily quiet as NJ Transit waiting areas closed off corridors, leaving only two coordinators to assist passengers and provide alternative transportation options to disappointed commuters.
Regular commuters and those who rely on NJ Transit at least once a week expressed dissatisfaction with the strike. Despite advance warnings and strike date notices from NJ Transit, some residents who were unaware or temporary visitors to New York found themselves stranded.
In the deserted waiting corridor, a man with luggage was seen inquiring about the situation. “I just found out about the strike two minutes ago. They told me to take the PATH subway to Newark and then head to Montclair,” said Steve, a visitor from Denver who came to New Jersey to visit friends. “I’m a bit disappointed because I thought I would be taking the train, but now that’s not an option. I guess I’ll have to go with this plan. I called a friend, maybe they can come pick me up.”
Two young Chinese students were anxiously asking staff how to get to Newark International Airport. NJ Transit is a primary mode of transportation directly to Newark Liberty International Airport, and most passengers prefer this route because it’s both direct and economical, costing only $17.
The young men had a flight at 5 p.m., and staff suggested they hurry to the PATH subway, get off at Newark or the previous stop at Harrison, and then take an Uber or bus directly to the airport.
Ms. White, an IT professional who commutes on NJ Transit weekly, had to forgo her weekend trip home due to the strike, leaving her stuck working in New York City. “I can’t go home to see my husband and children, which is frustrating,” she said. “NJ Transit’s service is already subpar – during peak hours, it’s overcrowded and finding a seat is a struggle. Seats are often dirty, trains are delayed or canceled at the last minute; it’s a common occurrence. It’s like our commuting time doesn’t matter, do commuters not need to arrive on time for work?”
Both Ms. White and another commuter, Ms. Lin, who commutes one or two days a week, believe the wage demands made by the drivers are not entirely reasonable. “In my opinion, their monthly salary of over $10,000 is already quite high. Of course, New Jersey is the wealthiest state in the U.S., so giving workers a bit more wouldn’t bother me,” Ms. Lin said. “But the key is improving service quality; for years, there hasn’t been much improvement in these train services.”
Mr. Yu, who typically commutes between New York and upstate using buses, stated, “The strike doesn’t affect me much, but there may be more passengers on buses during this time.”
“I hope everyone receives fair compensation for their work and contributes to society, creating more convenience for the public,” Mr. Yu said. “I hope the strike ends soon.”
Negotiations are ongoing between New Jersey Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). The union is requesting a salary increase to $170,000 per year, while management argues that the average wage for union members already stands at $135,000 and is pushing for an increase to $190,000, significantly higher than the average salaries of New Jersey residents or NJ Transit employees.
Both parties have not announced an end time for the strike; New Jersey Transit and the union have agreed to hold the next round of negotiations on Sunday, May 18.