New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and NJ TRANSIT President/CEO Kris Kolluri announced a tentative labor agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), ending a three-day rail work stoppage that disrupted service across the state.

With the agreement, regular weekday train service is expected to resume on May 20, following approximately 24 hours of safety inspections, infrastructure readiness checks, and equipment repositioning.

Agreement Reached 

Gov. Murphy emphasized that the tentative deal provides a “generous wage increase” for BLET members while avoiding additional financial burden on riders or taxpayers.

“This agreement reflects the commitment of both the BLET and NJ TRANSIT to remain at the table and engage in productive conversations,” said Murphy. “Most importantly, it ensures the resumption of rail service for the 100,000 people who rely on it daily.”

President/CEO Kris Kolluri echoed the sentiment, noting the balance achieved between employee fairness and rider affordability.

“It was important to reach a deal that didn’t require a significant fare increase,” Kolluri stated. “I also want to recognize the thousands of NJ TRANSIT employees who stepped up to support our customers and minimize disruptions during this time.”

Next Steps: Ratification and Service Restoration

The agreement remains subject to ratification by BLET members and formal approval by the NJ TRANSIT board. 

NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Fran O’Connor praised both parties for their collaboration.

“This agreement recognizes the value of our locomotive engineers while remaining fiscally responsible,” she said. “The quick resolution underscores how critical our rail system is to the region’s transportation infrastructure.”