There is a possibility that the train engineers on NJ Transit will go on strike as of 12:01 AM Friday, May 16, 2025. This will affect all local railroad service in NJ as well as service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) station and both Newark Penn Station and NY Penn Station. Amtrak service will not be affected.

NJ Transit site: https://www.njtransit.com/

Between now and Friday, several things may happen:

1) The Engineer's Union may accept NJ Transit's wage offer
2) The U.S. Government might step in and call a "cooling off" period to allow for more negotiations. This would only delay a strike if the two sides can't agree
3) There is no agreement and the strike starts. (This would be the first rail strike on NJ Transit since 1983)

In the event of a strike:

Public Transportation https://www.newarkairport.com/to-fro...transportation

*****The Port Authority will operate free, direct shuttle bus service between Newark-Penn Station and Newark Int’l Airport’s AirTrain Newark's P4 station every 20 minutes. The free shuttle buses will not operate between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., traditionally when NJ TRANSIT does not operate rail service. Travelers should allow additional travel time and expect crowded conditions on buses and at stations. There will be Port Authority staff availabel at the Airport and Newark-Penn station to assist/direct travelers

From Newark-Penn station you can take PATH -

PATH (at Newark Penn) - accessible at Newark-Penn station from the platform for track 1 (look for signs and turnstiles on the platform) - this train goes between Newark-Penn Station and the World Trade Center (WTC) in lower Manhattan. For midtown Manhattan, transfer from the WTC train at the Journal Square station for a 33rd St train (usually across the platform). The 33rd St station is on 6th Av - one block from NY Penn (at 7th Av). The PATH fare is $3.00 and can be paid by purchasing a MetroCard from machines near the turnstiles (Cash/Credit/Debit) or using a contactless card (Debit/Credit/Smart Wallet) directly at special turnstiles that have a large green arrow on the screen.

https://www.panynj.gov/path/en/index.html


Just for your info there is also a local NJ Transit bus at the Airport to Newark-Penn station but it isn’t free (but good to know just in case especially when the Port Authority’s free bus isn’t running or has long lines). It is best to look for signs at the airport or ask an airport employee if you are not sure where the bus stop is):

62 Bus – Frequent service to/from Newark Penn Station (Raymond Boulevard Bus Lanes, Gate 3A during the day, Gate 2A after 10pm) and Elizabeth. Please note that Exact fare is required on the bus ($1.80 ) if you are paying cash when you board . I expect that there are bus ticket machines near the bus stop so you can buy tickets for the bus before you board. There are bus ticket machines at Newark Penn (if you were going to the airport).

https://content.njtransit.com/sites/...ules/T0062.pdf

AmTrak

Select Amtrak trains to/from Newark-Penn and NY Penn will continue to serve the station (Newark Liberty Int'l Airport station). Passengers will need an Amtrak ticket to board an Amtrak train. AirTrain Newark will continue operating to/from the Airport Train Station for Amtrak passengers. Amtrak fares are much higher than regular fares (NJ Transit, PATH) and there could be long waits (hours) between trains. Check the Amtrak site for more information

https://www.amtrak.com/home.html



Private carrier bus service to NYC (expect these services to be on the crowded side)

CoachUSA : https://www.coachusa.com/airport-tra...newark-airport

RometoRio: https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Newark-Airport-EWR/Manhattan


Ridesharing (Uber/Lyft/Taxi): You can try for these but given the circumstances there might be quite a wait if a lot of your fellow passengers have the same idea.

Uber: https://www.uber.com/global/en/r/airports/ewr/pickup/

Lyft: https://www.lyft.com/rider/airports/ewr

General information: https://ride.guru/airports/EWR

General information: https://www.newarkairport.com/to-fro...nd-van-service

This will affect me on Friday as I have an international trip planned to depart from Newark. I was thinking I would have to take Amtrak but I was able to find someone to take me instead. The cost for Amtrak was significant and I’d be sitting at the airport for over 5 hours waiting for the flight. Hopefully they can come to a resolution soon as my situation is minor compared to others.

nycguy10002, thank you for all of your helpful information. I hope the situation can be satisfactorily resolved.

UPDATE

As many of you know by now - the strike has ended after 3 days (Sunday). Allowing for Monday to let NJ Transit inspect all the equipment (which has been sitting idle for 3 days), all regular service will resume Tuesday May20 in time for the AM rush hour..

Thank you for the update.

I did see this and glad to know things will be up and running later today. I am sure there so many people who are breathing a sigh of relief as no one knew how long it would take to get to an agreement.