OT: Transit strike

[jtung230]

Surprised no discussion on this. My daughter has an internship in the city making min wage. Before the strike, 25% of her pay was going towards the commute. Today, she had to take the private bus service and 50% of her pay will towards the commute.

 

[Knight Shift]

In.

How's the traffic today on the major roads to the city (Parkway, Turnpike, 80, 78)? Worse? Or Friday work from home day easing it up?

 

[jtung230]

In.

How's the traffic today on the major roads to the city (Parkway, Turnpike, 80, 78)? Worse? Or Friday work from home day easing it up?

Google maps is 53 min from Summit to midtown. Think Tuesday will be a different story.

 

[Knight Shift]

Google maps is 53 min from Summit to midtown. Think Tuesday will be a different story.

It's a good thing I am flying to San Diego Sunday, returning Tuesday--in and out of EWR. I will have no travel problems!🥸

 

[NickRU714]

Google maps is 53 min from Summit to midtown. Think Tuesday will be a different story.

Agreed.
Monday or Tuesday will be the real test.

I normally go in Tuesday/Thursday.
Train to Hoboken then ferry to Pier 11.
Selfishly, I hope it never ends and I just WFH forever.

My first thought was Seton Hall Prep.
A huge group of kids take my train line east to Mountain Station then a dedicated bus to school.
Guess they are all getting rides today.

 

[jtung230]

It's a good thing I am flying to San Diego Sunday, returning Tuesday--in and out of EWR. I will have no travel problems!🥸

I have a business trip to Charleston SC after Memorial Day. Never been and would like to see it but it will have to wait. Not worth all the headache

 

[RUPete]

Surprised no discussion on this. My daughter has an internship in the city making min wage. Before the strike, 25% of her pay was going towards the commute. Today, she had to take the private bus service and 50% of her pay will towards the commute.

Sucks, but you hope the internship pays dividends in the future and commute cost is more like an investment.

 

[RUPete]

The media tends to focus on the NYC commute (as well they should since it's a big deal and they are based in NY), but there will be a significant impact for local workers who don't have cars and rely on mass transit to get to work each day. Will impact local businesses when staff can't make it in. Hopefully this gets settled soon.

 

[jtung230]

Sucks, but you hope the internship pays dividends in the future and commute cost is more like an investment.

Not even a question. I’m not sure when this trend started but employers are expecting kids to have internships after freshman year now. The frustrating thing is that the same employers will not hire kids finishing freshman year for internships. I had to work my connections to get this internship for her.

 

[mdk01]

40 years ago New Jersey Transit set up shuttle bus service running from the Giants (now Met Life) Stadium parking lot to Port Authority during a rail strike. Low price ticket.

Anything like that this time?

 

[Rutgers Chris]

It's a good thing I am flying to San Diego Sunday, returning Tuesday--in and out of EWR. I will have no travel problems!🥸

Worst time of year to fly into San Diego too. The marine layer sits over the airport most mornings and can cause delays waiting for a pocket to open to land. Godspeed all around

 

[tom1944]

I heard the pay for NJ Transit employees is significantly lower than comparable compensation of the transit employees in NY and Amtrak.

Does anyone know the pay for each?

 

[MrsScrew]

I have a business trip to Charleston SC after Memorial Day. Never been and would like to see it but it will have to wait. Not worth all the headache

Drive MrScrew & I have done that drive a few times. Really not that bad. We start midday & drive until we're tired. Find a hotel off of 95 for the night & finish up in the morning. We usually drive straight through coming home.

We're doing a shorter version to Wilmington NC in June.

 

[NickRU714]

I heard the pay for NJ Transit employees is significantly lower than comparable compensation of the transit employees in NY and Amtrak.

Does anyone know the pay for each?

Amtrak is a for-profit entity.
NJ Transit is a non-profit entity.

Makes sense NJ Transit employees would make less.
That should apply to all employees - including executives.

 

[newell138]

Not even a question. I’m not sure when this trend started but employers are expecting kids to have internships after freshman year now. The frustrating thing is that the same employers will not hire kids finishing freshman year for internships. I had to work my connections to get this internship for her.

try being an "intern" in teaching. You don't get paid, you have to pay the college a full years tuition just to have the privelage of going into a school and student teaching. Its quite the scam

 

[MulletCork]

My office is in Summit and the parking deck here was so empty this morning. I hadn't seen it like that since the Covid days!
It took a minute to dawn on me that it's because of the transit strike and commuters unable to take the train to NYC from here.

 

[ru66]

Not even a question. I’m not sure when this trend started but employers are expecting kids to have internships after freshman year now. The frustrating thing is that the same employers will not hire kids finishing freshman year for internships. I had to work my connections to get this internship for her.

For years, connections is what got my kids and grandchildren jobs and internships. It's the way of the world-- unfair as it is.Personally I'd be more worried about her getting home than the cost. There will be mass crowds at Port Authority etc.

 

[mdk01]

I heard the pay for NJ Transit employees is significantly lower than comparable compensation of the transit employees in NY and Amtrak.

Does anyone know the pay for each?

It was on television but I don't recall the exact number. IIRC well over 100k. Asking for an increase well over the inflation rate. According to NJ Transit website the current average is 135k and they want an average of 174k.

 

[RUPete]

I thought I heard this morning that the engineers received 10 cents less per hour than their counterparts at the LIRR.

 

[jtung230]

For years, connections is what got my kids and grandchildren jobs and internships. It's the way of the world-- unfair as it is.Personally I'd be more worried about her getting home than the cost. There will be mass crowds at Port Authority etc.

She is on the private bus. That’s why it’s so expensive.

 

[tom1944]

Amtrak is a for-profit entity.
NJ Transit is a non-profit entity.

Makes sense NJ Transit employees would make less.
That should apply to all employees - including executives.

Should less be much less or just less?

 

[jtung230]

I thought I heard this morning that the engineers received 10 cents less per hour than their counterparts at the LIRR.

The only headline I saw was the equivalent of 170k avg salary

 

[czxqa]

I thought I heard this morning that the engineers received 10 cents less per hour than their counterparts at the LIRR.

$10.00/hr less according to the NY Post. The two sides can't even agree on what they're currently making. NJT said their offer was to increase comp from $135k to $170k, BLET says they only really make $113k and the offer wasn't really $170. They have not had a raise since 2019, both sides do agree on that. I'm guessing NJT's numbers include cost of benefits etc.

 

[tom1944]

I thought I heard this morning that the engineers received 10 cents less per hour than their counterparts at the LIRR.

That’s not worth striking for.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I just paid $75 for a 1-way Amtrak ticket (Newark to Trenton) instead of $16(?) NEC to Hamilton. Gotta bartend at my church festival tonight and tomorrow night!!! Come see me St George Greek Festival in Hamilton!!!

NUTS

 

[tom1944]

$10.00/hr less according to the NY Post. The two sides can't even agree on what they're currently making. NJT said their offer was to increase comp from $135k to $170k, BLET says they only really make $113k and the offer wasn't really $170. They have not had a raise since 2019, both sides do agree on that. I'm guessing NJT's numbers include cost of benefits etc.

No raise for 6 years considering the inflation rate for that period is something that I understand a union would want addressed

 

[vkj91]

I have a business trip to Charleston SC after Memorial Day. Never been and would like to see it but it will have to wait. Not worth all the headache

My daughter has flown to and back to SC 3 times since this crap has started. Not one delayed flight…..

 

[Scarlet4Shore]

try being an "intern" in teaching. You don't get paid, you have to pay the college a full years tuition just to have the privelage of going into a school and student teaching. Its quite the scam

Same for physical therapy.

 

[RUPete]

$10.00/hr less according to the NY Post. The two sides can't even agree on what they're currently making. NJT said their offer was to increase comp from $135k to $170k, BLET says they only really make $113k and the offer wasn't really $170. They have not had a raise since 2019, both sides do agree on that. I'm guessing NJT's numbers include cost of benefits etc.

I was just a "little" off. I need to get my hearing checked. That's a significant difference.

 

[tico brown]

40 years ago New Jersey Transit set up shuttle bus service running from the Giants (now Met Life) Stadium parking lot to Port Authority during a rail strike. Low price ticket.

Anything like that this time?

Only mention about any shuttle service to/from MetLife…

 

[RUBlackout]

I take the academy bus from PNC and i plan on wfh on Tuesday as that’s normally a busier day and I get the feeling the buses and roads will be packed and cause delays

 

[RU#1fan]

The only headline I saw was the equivalent of 170k avg salary

Ridiculous

 

[jtung230]

Traffic was bad tonight because of the Knicks game. Buses were all delayed

 

[Scarlet4Shore]

Took me 2 1/2 hours to get from 109 up to East Rutherford this afternoon. Sink hole on the parkway closed the express lanes. Concert at Giants Stadium. Plus the people in cars who may have taken the train was not a good combination.

 

[rutgersdave]

It was on television but I don't recall the exact number. IIRC well over 100k. Asking for an increase well over the inflation rate. According to NJ Transit website the current average is 135k and they want an average of 174k.

They are looking for an average of $190k and you don’t need a college education.

 

[T2Kplus20]

NJT should be privatized. Problem solved!

 

[Joey Bags]

NJT should be privatized. Problem solved!

Commuter rail is probably the dumbest deployment of capital on the planet. Hasn’t been profitable since the 40s. NYC metro rail infrastructure is crumbling even with government subsidies.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

I have a business trip to Charleston SC after Memorial Day. Never been and would like to see it but it will have to wait. Not worth all the headache

Should be an easy flight if done early both ways
It's later in the day when the delays usually have been happening

Chucktown is great
Beautiful city, easy airport, good food, etc.

If driving is your thing, that's also an option
Except for rare situations w/work, I personally refuse to drive any longer than 3 hours in any direction
Sitting in a car for long periods of time is the equivalent to ripping my eyes out, but that's just me

 

[jtung230]

I’m only going to be there for 36 hrs. Driving is not an option. Will wait and see if things improve at Newark. Appreciate all the tips.

 

[MADHAT1]

Re-mem-mem, re-mem-mem-mem-ber oop-shoop
Re-mem-mem, re-mem-mem-mem-ber oop-shoop
Re-mem-mem, re-mem-mem-mem-ber oop-shoop then
Then , remember then
It was on May 17, 1971 that a nationwide rail workers strike left circus animals from Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus stranded in South Kearny, New Jersey prior to their performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Most of the circus caravan were able to travel by truck, but nineteen elephants, a zebra, a llama and a pony had to somehow get to the Garden. The solution was to march them through the Lincoln Tunnel. At 10:30 p.m., more than a thousand spectators gathered to watch this strange trek of these animals, led by four trainers who rode on the elephants, as well as police from Weehawken, Hudson County, the Port Authority and New York City. Coincidentally, the toll for the caravan to cross into New York was nine dollars.

from today in NJ History