Syndication: Asbury Park Press
(Newark, NJ) — New Jersey Transit says it’s working hard to make a deal with it’s engineers before a planned walk out next next Thursday. NJ Transit blames the union for no contract agreement, saying their salary demands are too high. A strike would mean a complete stoppage to NJ Transit rail service. If that happens NJ Transit says its bus, and ferry contingency plan would only accommodate around 20% of rail customers. The agency plans to add capacity to existing New York commuter bus routes to nearby rail stations and contracting with private carriers to operate bus service.
The MTA is announcing plans for Metro-North riders west of the Hudson ahead of a possible strike next week. Service on the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Lines, which NJ Transit operates and connects Rockland and Orange Counties to Hoboken and New York City, would be halted. Metro-North President Justin Vonashek says starting next Monday, nearly a week before the potential strike, tickets will be cross-honored on the Hudson and Harlem lines. Tickets for New York riders will also be cross-honored on the Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry and the bus from Newburgh to Beacon, where there will be free parking at both stations. West of Hudson parking passes will be cross-honored at Metro-North stations on the other side of the river.
