Statement attributable to Zoe Baldwin, Vice President for State Programs

“Even with a contingency plan in place, the rail strike is going to be massively disruptive - not just for riders, but for the region’s economy,” said Zoe Baldwin, Vice President for State Programs at Regional Plan Association. ​“Anyone who relies on NJ Transit - and plenty who don’t - will feel the impact of disrupted commuter rail service. Ferry, bus, and PATH will continue to operate, but they’ll be flooded with displaced commuters. And as more people opt to drive, traffic congestion will worsen, slowing freight, emergency vehicles, and everyday travel for everyone else.”

“Everyone wants a deal — riders, workers, and the agency,” Baldwin added. ​“Any resolution has to be fair, sustainable, and fiscally responsible.”

NJ TRANSIT and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have been in negotiations since the engineers’ contract expired in 2019. While both parties have been working with the National Mediation Board to reach a deal, an agreement has not yet been announced. NJ TRANSIT has released a contingency plan in the event of a strike, but even under best-case conditions, it will only meet about 20% of typical rail demand by shifting riders to bus. You can read the plan in detail by following this link.