New Jersey commuters hoping for a swift return to normal after the NJ Transit rail strike will have to wait just a little longer. While union leaders and the transit agency have reached a tentative agreement to resolve the walkout, full train service won’t be restored until Tuesday.
“We will have a deal. Strike will end,” the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) confirmed in a public statement over the weekend.
The proposed contract—details of which remain under wraps—will be presented to the union’s 450 engineers and trainees for review. Until the agreement is finalized and train operations are safely restored, transit officials are strongly urging riders to avoid commuting on Monday.
“Our train lines will not still work. They will start working Tuesday morning,” said NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri. He explained that the full day will be needed to reposition locomotives, perform safety checks, and ensure staff and infrastructure are ready.
“The one favor that our riders can do for us one more time, is to, that if you could work from home, please do that,” Kolluri added, emphasizing that Monday is typically one of the lightest travel days. Crews will use the relative lull to reset operations before trains are back to full capacity on Tuesday.
The strike, which paralyzed one of the busiest transit systems in the country, sparked concerns among commuters and lawmakers alike. When asked about the financial implications of the new labor deal, particularly its effect on taxpayers, Governor Phil Murphy weighed in—but so far, neither NJ Transit nor the union has disclosed the cost.
While the strike’s end is in sight, transportation leaders say the recovery isn’t instantaneous. Travelers are encouraged to stay flexible and check for service updates as Monday progresses.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.