On Friday, New Jersey Transit train engineers started a strike, forcing around 350,000 commuters in New Jersey and New York City to find alternative ways to travel or consider not travelling at all.

The strike began after negotiations failed on Thursday. It's the first transport strike in the state for over 40 years, happening a month after union members strongly refused a work deal with managers.

"Tom Haas, the head of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, stated that they gave them their final offer, but it was turned down, and the other party ended negotiations with two hours remaining."

NJ Transit's CEO, Kris Kolluri, called the current state of affairs "a temporary halt in discussions."

He stated on Thursday, during a joint press conference with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, that he fully intends to continue these discussions at the earliest opportunity. He added that he would be willing to meet that same night if they wished, or the following morning, as he believes the issue can be resolved quickly. The key question, he noted, is whether they are ready to find a solution.

Murphy stated that it was essential to achieve a final agreement that was equitable for workers while also remaining affordable for New Jersey commuters and taxpayers.

The union stated the announcement was made after 15 hours of continuous negotiations. They anticipate picket lines will form from 4 a.m. on Friday.

NJ Transit, one of the biggest transport systems in the US, runs buses and trains in New Jersey, carrying almost a million people each weekday, including those travelling to New York City. The strike has stopped all NJ Transit trains, which are used a lot by commuters travelling between New York City's Penn Station and towns in northern New Jersey, as well as Newark Airport, which has also experienced its own separate problems lately.

In the past few days, the agency released backup plans, stating they would improve bus services. However, they cautioned passengers that the buses would only add a "very small" number of spaces to current New York bus routes near train stations, and wouldn't begin until Monday. The agency will also hire private bus companies to run services from main park-and-ride areas during busy weekday times.

The agency pointed out that the buses would have limited capacity, carrying only around 20% of the usual train passengers. Therefore, they advised people who could work remotely to do so if a strike happened.

The mere possibility of it happening had already caused problems for travellers. Because of the uncertain situation, the transit authority cancelled train and bus services for Shakira's concerts on Thursday and Friday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The groups involved met on Monday with a national mediation board in Washington to talk about the problem, and a mediator was there during Thursday's discussions. Kolluri said on Thursday evening that the mediation board has suggested they meet again on Sunday morning to continue discussions.

The main problem in talks between the agency and the train drivers' union is wages, as the union wants its members to earn similar amounts to those working for other local passenger train companies; they are asking for an average yearly salary of $170,000, arguing that their current average of $113,000 needs to be increased, but agreement depends on the agency CEO, Kris Kolluri.

However, NJ Transit management challenges the union's figures, stating that their engineers earn an average of $135,000 per year, with top earners making over $200,000.

Kolluri and Murphy stated on Thursday that the main issue isn't simply agreeing on a pay rise, but whether they can do so in a way that prevents other unions from demanding similar increases, which could create financial difficulties for NJ Transit.

Congress has the authority to step in and stop the strike, potentially forcing the union to accept an agreement. However, unlike in 2022, when they prevented a national railway strike, lawmakers haven't indicated they're willing to do so this time.

The union at NJ Transit has experienced a consistent decline in membership, as many members are leaving for better-paid jobs at other railway companies. The number of engineers working at NJ Transit has decreased from 500 to around 450 in recent months.