New Jersey Transit CEO Kris Kolluri’s salary has come under scrutiny as engineers began a strike that could disrupt travel more than 300,000 commuters on Friday.

Newsweek reached out to NJ Transit via phone call on Friday.

Why It Matters

The strike comes as negotiations between NJ Transit and unions representing rail engineers broke down late Thursday, with NJ Transit saying it cannot match the compensation levels asked for by the workers. As a result, train service ground to a halt across the state. The agency is urging affected passengers to request refunds through an online form, though it cautioned of delays in processing because of volume.

The strike has drawn scrutiny to the compensation of NJ Transit’s leadership, including Kolluri, who was appointed to the top post in December 2024 by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy following a stint managing the Gateway Development Commission, aiming to improve connectivity between Newark and New York.

What To Know

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is seeking higher pay for rail engineers that could be more comparable to compensation received by others in the region. Currently, the members make a salary of about $113,000, the Associated Press reported. NJ Transit has said that average is $135,000 annually.

When Kolluri joined the transit agency, he signed on with a $280,000 salary, according to The New York Times. The union has proposed a salary of $170,000 for the CEO, AP reported.

Kolluri made $400,000 annually during his tenure at the Gateway Development Commission, reported New York City-based news outlet Gothamist. He served in that position for about two years, from 2022 to 2024.

Prior to that, he spent several years at the nonprofit Camden Community Partnership. Filings reviewed by Newsweek show that he made just under $400,000 annually in that position. He took home $197,000 for half the year in 2022, $397,096 in 2021, $395,800 in 2020 and $396,099 in 2019. He also made $292,115 in 2018, when he joined the nonprofit.

A Princeton home purchased under his name sold for $1.7 million last year and is now estimated to be worth $1.8 million, according to data from Redfin.

What People Are Saying

New Jersey Transit CEO Kris Kolluri, in a statement Friday morning: “I have always said that any deal we reach would have to be fair to our engineers and fiscally responsible without burdening our riders or the taxpayers of New Jersey. While we, unfortunately, were unable to finalize a deal Thursday night, I am committed, as I have been since my first day on the job in January, to remaining at the bargaining table for as long as it takes to get an agreement finalized. We have an obligation to the hundreds of thousands of NJ TRANSIT customers to work around-the-clock until a deal is reached and rail service can resume for all those who rely on it every day.”

BLET National President Mark Wallace, in a statement: “NJ Transit has a half-billion dollars for a swanky new headquarters and $53 million for decorating the interior of that unnecessary building. They gave away $20 million in revenue during a fare holiday last year. They have money for penthouse views and pet projects, just not for their front-line workers. Enough is enough. We will stay out until our members receive the fair pay that they deserve.”

What Happens Next

It’s unclear when a deal may be reached to end the strike and resume service and whether Kolluri will accept the proposed pay cut.