NJ Transit strike ends, but trains are not running yet. Here's what we know about the deal.
NJ Transit and the union representing engineers reached a tentative agreement to end their strike over the weekend, but trains were still not running Monday.
After announcing the deal, New Jersey officials said rail service would resume Tuesday in order for trains to be inspected, a 24-hour process, they said.
What we know about the NJ Transit strike settlement
Since announcing the tentative agreement, NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen remain tight-lipped about the details. Sources said it involved the union making concessions on work rules and the agency on benefits.
According to government sources, it will not increase fares for at least the next few years.
While the sides are saying very little about the deal until it gets ratified in about a month, the union's general manager said in a statement it "boosts hourly pay beyond the proposal rejected by our members last month and beyond where we were when NJ Transit's managers walked away from the table Thursday evening."
"We were able to find a solution that meets the needs of the customers and our employees and, more importantly than all of it, the taxpayers of New Jersey," said NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri. "The deal itself reflects a series of concessions that came together by way of a work rule that will eventually end up paying for this fair wage that the unions have asked for."
"I'd like to think it's a sustainable deal, but ultimately the membership will get to see and vote on it," BLET Chairman Tom Haas said.
Sources familiar with the talks said it appears union members will vote to approve the deal. NJ Transit's board will also have to approve it.
NJ Transit riders remain frustrated day after strike ends
It was another long morning for commuters Monday as NJ Transit station staff directed them to buses and PATH trains to New York City. Even though the rail strike was over, the NJ Transit strike contingency plan remained in effect for one last day, with increased bus service on NYC routes.
At the Woodbridge Center Mall, buses left every three minutes during the morning rush, and few had commuters on them. Either people were heeding the warnings to work from home or they found other ways into the city. Amtrak was an option.
"I woke up earlier, because I was anticipating everybody was going to swarm this area, because the train station is always packed, and I figure trains can take a lot more people," commuter Anthony Hein, of Colonia, said. "So I would've liked that extra sleep."
Some commuters said they were feeling the stress of the past several days.
"Definitely it's been inconvenient," said Ronit Modi. "Also the bus service is only to Harrison, so if you have a monthly pass, it's an additional expense."
Commuters were also frustrated and confused at Metropark Station in Middlesex County, where no trains were on the tracks.
"It took me longer than two hours to reach from Newark to Edison," Khasio Hayford said.
"Yesterday, when I tried to get home, I was on the wrong train. I don't take the PATH normally," Jean Ocuendo said.
Monday wasn't much better for Ocuendo. He drove to the satellite park-and-ride at the Woodbridge Center Mall only to realize bus shuttles to the Harrison PATH stopped at 10 a.m. Uber was the only way to get to his bartending job, he said.
"The money on Uber that I'm spending on, gets very expensive," Ocuendo said.
