Thousands of commuters faced frustration and confusion at Newark Penn Station on Friday morning as the first day of the NJ Transit strike brought rail service to a halt. The strike, which affects 100,000 weekday train riders, was caused by a dispute between locomotive engineers and transit officials over a contract agreement.
NJ Transit’s locomotive engineers walked off the job at midnight Thursday after negotiations failed to reach an agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. The two sides are scheduled to meet again on Sunday, leaving some hope for service restoration before Monday morning’s commute.
Commuters faced numerous challenges, including limited bus options, exorbitant Amtrak fares, and gridlock in Manhattan. Construction worker Lewis Covolus said he was stuck in traffic en route to the Holland Tunnel for over an hour due to the strike. Drivers also ran into congestion after the PATH trains refused to cross-honor NJ Transit tickets.
Preschool teacher Monica Williams expressed frustration at being forced to take a $70 Amtrak train ride instead of her usual bus commute, citing financial constraints. Other commuters like Brenda Mack and Shaqua Houston faced similar struggles, including long commutes and limited transportation options.
The strike has left many wondering if service will be restored in time for Monday’s commute. With the negotiations set to resume on Sunday, some hope is still held out that the dispute can be resolved soon.
Source: https://gothamist.com/news/nj-transit-strike-foists-riders-onto-amtrak-which-charges-70-for-a-17-minute-ride