NJTransit Rail Strike Sends Hundreds of Buses to Harrison PATH Station

The NJ Transit train conductor strike has paralyzed regional rail service, a massive contingency plan is in motion, and the Harrison Path Station is going to play its part this week if the strike is not settled.

According to the Harrison Police Department, between 95 and 200 charter buses are expected to arrive daily at the Harrison PATH Station from the Woodbridge Center Mall in Woodbridge, NJ, to transport commuters displaced by the halted train service. The buses will operate between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. inbound to Harrison and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. outbound to Woodbridge.

Charter buses typically carry 49 to 56 passengers, although some news outlets are reporting capacity as high as 100 per bus. If true, Harrison could see an influx of anywhere from 4,600 to nearly 20,000 additional commuters daily, all converging on the already-busy South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard home of the Harrison PATH Station.

Traffic Concerns Mount Amid Major Soccer Event

The strain on Harrison's infrastructure may reach a breaking point this Wednesday, May 21, 2025, when Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly Red Bull Arena) hosts a 7:30 p.m. U.S. Open Cup match between the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas. Weeknight games already cause significant congestion, and the simultaneous influx of thousands of charter bus passengers could result in extreme gridlock conditions.

Call for a State of Emergency

Given the logistical demands, Governor Phil Murphy is being urged to consider declaring a State of Emergency to unlock emergency funding for towns like Harrison that are shouldering the burden of increased commuter traffic. Additional police and fire personnel may be needed to manage traffic flow, crowd control, and safety concerns.

Harrison’s Parking Garage May Finally Get Its Day

Not all the news is bad for Harrison. Town officials hope the situation may finally breathe life into the Harrison Parking Garage, which has remained underutilized since the pandemic. The garage is adjacent to the Harrison PATH Station and provides convenient access to the trains. Commuters arriving by car may choose to park in Harrison and ride PATH into Manhattan, offering the town much-needed revenue.

The parking structure, originally built by Hudson County as part of the Harrison Redevelopment Plan and later purchased by the Town of Harrison, has struggled to generate sufficient income to cover its bond debt. Increased usage during the strike could help offset some of those losses. Buying the Harrison Parking Garage from the County of Hudson was not a good decision by the current Mayor, James Fife, and his Council. The Town of Harrison residents got stuck with a Bond that the Parking Garage cannot pay without aid from Harrison taxpayers.

Crowded Trains, Limited Bus Capacity

NJ Transit officials admit that their contingency bus service will only accommodate about 20% of displaced rail riders. That shortfall means a large number of commuters may turn to PATH trains to fill the gap. However, Harrison commuters on social media warn that PATH trains are already packed, especially during the morning rush hour.

While the new Harrison PATH Station, completed in February 2024, has improved infrastructure, including platforms capable of handling 10-car trains versus the previous 8-car capacity, the station's true stress test may come on Monday, if the strike proceeds as expected.

The station, operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is one of the most modern on the line and was designed to serve Harrison’s growing population in its redevelopment zone.. But the situation may reveal whether even this upgraded facility can safely and efficiently move thousands of additional commuters.

Cost to Commuters

For those riding the charter buses from Woodbridge Mall to Harrison PATH Station, round-trip tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for seniors. From there, a PATH round-trip to New York City costs $6, but there’s a catch: NJ Transit tickets are not cross-honored on PATH trains, meaning commuters will be paying out-of-pocket for both legs of the journey.

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