Tuesday marked the first full day of service for New Jersey Transit rail riders since a strike shut the system down last Friday.

While the strike lasted for three days, rail service was out for four days.


What You Need To Know

  • While the strike lasted for three days, rail service was out for four days

  • Terms of the deal have not been released, though union leaders say the deal surpasses the previously rejected proposal

  • New Jersey Transit CEO Kris Kolluri says the deal getting the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers back on board hasn’t crossed the finish line just yet

As the evening rush hit full speed inside Penn Station on Tuesday, some commuters say they’re relived the strike is over.

“Everyone was generally happy. I mean, you’re going to work, of course, but yeah, normal vibe, just a larger crowd than usual,” NJ Transit commuter Angel Newton said.

“This morning was wonderful, actually. The trains were back. The trains were back. That was a good thing. No delays, so can’t complain,” NJ Transit commuter Nicole Vickers said.

Relief aside, for many, the last few days were defined by traffic, detours and frustration.

“Yesterday, I had to do it by car, and the traffic was just insane,” NJ Transit commuter Luis Martinez said.

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri says the deal getting the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers back on board hasn’t crossed the finish line just yet.

“The union has to ratify it, and we believe they’ll consider it over the next week or two, and then the NJ Transit board has to approve it,” Kolluri said.

The agreement though addresses wage increases for union members without requiring fare hikes for riders or budget constraints for the transit system.

Support for the deal is coming from both leadership and the riders, with union members, management and commuters all on the same track.

“This is a fiscally sound package that was negotiated. Otherwise, the governor and I wouldn’t have signed off on it,” Kolluri said.

“I’m glad the engineers got a raise, and it sounds like they deserve it,” NJ Transit commuter Cindy Mershon said.

Terms of the deal have not been released, though union leaders say the deal surpasses the previously rejected proposal.