Full Breakdown
NJ Transit Faces Service Disruptions and Union Controversies
9/30/2025, 12:18:25 AM
Train Derailment Causes Service Interruptions
NJ Transit is currently experiencing significant service disruptions on its Morris and Essex line and Gladstone Branch due to a slow-speed derailment involving a non-passenger work train. The incident occurred late on September 27, 2025, near Summit Station, resulting in the derailment of two freight cars loaded with rails. No injuries were reported, but the derailment caused damage to approximately 2,200 concrete ties and one broken rail. As a result, NJ Transit has implemented a modified schedule, canceling around 25 trains and advising commuters to expect delays of up to 20 minutes between Millburn and Summit stations. Service is expected to remain reduced until repairs are completed, which NJ Transit officials anticipate will be by the close of business on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
Ongoing Union Payment Controversy
Amid these service disruptions, NJ Transit is also embroiled in a controversy regarding payments made to union leaders from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). The agency has initiated efforts to reclaim over $10,000 from two top union officials, General Chairman Thomas Haas and Vice Chairman Donald Melhorn, after a review of payroll records indicated that they were improperly compensated for time spent on union business while on company time. NJ Transit’s Deputy General Manager Patrick McGreal stated that the agency intends to recoup these payments, emphasizing that taxpayers should not bear the cost of union advocacy.
Haas has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all timecards submitted were legitimate and approved by NJ Transit. He explained that union officers are allowed to call out for union business but must be compensated by the union, not NJ Transit. The controversy has heightened tensions between NJ Transit and the BLET, particularly as the agency grapples with a shortage of engineers, leading to increased train cancellations.
Criticism and Responses
Critics of NJ Transit have pointed to the agency's management of engineer staffing as a contributing factor to the recent service disruptions. NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri has expressed concerns about a surge in unauthorized absences among engineers, which he described as potentially coordinated job actions. He noted that between January and July 2025, there were 152 train cancellations due to insufficient crew availability, a stark increase from previous years.
In response to the ongoing issues, NJ Transit is recommending stronger internal controls for timecard approvals and scheduling to prevent future discrepancies. Haas has indicated a willingness to cooperate with NJ Transit to ensure that union business is properly documented and compensated.
Conclusion
As NJ Transit navigates the dual challenges of service disruptions from the recent derailment and the fallout from the union payment controversy, the agency's ability to restore normal operations while addressing internal conflicts will be critical for the satisfaction of its commuter base. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing investigations and repairs expected to influence service levels in the coming days.
