NJ Transit Strike: 350,000 Commuters Stranded in Epic Transit Shutdown!

2025-05-16 06:00:10.991

New Jersey is facing its first major transit strike since 1983, after NJ Transit failed to reach a contract agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) union. The strike, which began at midnight on May 16, 2025, affects approximately 350,000 commuters across the state, with 70,000 daily riders into Manhattan facing significant disruptions. The union, seeking a pay increase for its 450 engineers since 2019, claims NJ Transit has the funds but walked out of negotiations. NJ Transit officials counter that the union's demands could lead to financial instability, and that they offered a fair deal. Governor Phil Murphy expressed hope for a resolution, with further negotiations scheduled for Sunday. The union highlights that NJ Transit engineers are the lowest paid in the nation, while NJ Transit points to a proposed $3.2 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2026. In the meantime, commuters are urged to work from home, and NJ Transit is focusing resources on New York-bound customers, while New York City is preparing for potential crowding and delays.