Newark Penn Station became chaotic on the first day of a NJ Transit rail strike, affecting over 100,000 daily commuters. The strike began at midnight when a contract agreement failed between officials and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Commuters faced numerous challenges, such as kindergarten teacher Monica Williams, who, along with her sister, struggled to find alternative transportation to Edison due to high Amtrak fares.
Many riders were caught off guard, including doorman Jay Santana, who had to spend the night at work rather than return home as usual. The strike caused significant gridlock in Manhattan, with drivers expressing frustration over the traffic conditions. Brenda Mac, a commuter with a monthly NJ Transit pass, found that she could not transfer to the Port Authority train.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged residents to work from home if possible, but some, like Mac, were skeptical of this suggestion. Others, like nurse Shakua Houston, faced longer commutes, worrying about getting to events like the upcoming Beyoncé concert. Commuters voiced their hope for a resolution by Sunday when negotiations are set to resume.
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