NJ Transit Contingency Plan for South Jersey

By JASON KOESTENBLATT (Patch Staff)

Negotiations resumed on Monday between New Jersey Transit and Union workers, as the organization attempts to avoid its first work stoppage in over 30 years.

New Jersey Transit announced its contingency plans in the event union workers and the organization can’t come to terms on a new contract before March 13, at which time a strike would likely occur. The contingency plan uses only buses to serve customers, and ridership would be whittled down by 60-percent.

While the impact would be hardest felt in the northern portion of the state, New Jersey Transit announced it would enhance service on the 554 bus route, which operates between Atlantic City and Lindenwold, to accommodate Atlantic City Rail Line Customers.

At Lindenwold, customers can connect with PATCO service to Philadelphia. PATCO will cross honor Atlantic City Rail Line tickets and passes to/from Philadelphia (8th & Market St. Station).

New Jersey Transit and its 11 unions, made up of more than 4,000 employees, have not had a new contract since 2011. A 90-day “cooling-off” period was implemented in December, but runs out at 12:01 a.m. March 13.

Negotiations took place in Washington, D.C., on Friday concerning wages and healthcare, but neither side commented on those discussions.

To view the full plan, visit njtransit.com.