U.S. Rep. Andy Kim Calls for ‘Urgent’ NJ Transit Negotiations: Strike Impacting Communities of Color Hardest
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
ATLANTIC CITY – U.S. Rep. Andy Kim called on New Jersey Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen to enter into “urgent” negotiations on Friday as a strike on Friday crippled the passenger rail system.
The union went on strike Friday morning after a breakdown in negotiations. The strike, which left train passengers stranded, will likely hit New Jersey minority communities the hardest.
According to the American Public Transportation Association, communities of color make up a majority of riders rail transit riders (60%), with African-American riders comprising the largest single group (24%).
FRNJ could not find specific data on Friday on the number of riders by race for New Jersey Transit.
“New Jersey families can’t afford to have NJ Transit trains down,” Kim, a South Jersey native, said in a statement. “So many residents are scrambling to find ways to get to work and back home to pick up their kids.
“This is a mess. I have made clear to NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen that they need urgent negotiations to continue immediately.”
More than 350,000 commuters take NJ Transit trains daily, making it the country’s third most-used transit system. Through all of its services, NJ Transit provides rides with nearly one million weekday trips.
NJ Transit said while the strike is one, it has added buses to accommodate stranded rail passengers, but that can only make up for 20% of those who normally use the train service.
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