WASHINGTON

New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy on Friday called on the train engineers to end the strike, which is potentially affecting 350,000 commuters.

"What the people of New Jersey need right now is for the members of the BLET to step up and meet their obligations to the public. Let's end this strike," Murphy said at a news conference.

His remarks came after the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) walked off their jobs after midnight in a pay dispute, bringing the nation's third-largest transit system to a standstill.

"Our doors are open. We are ready to restart negotiations, literally this second, but we need the BLET to come back to the negotiating table in good faith. Our doors are open, they will remain open," Murphy said.

He also apologized to people whose trips were disrupted and called it a "slap in the face of every commuter and worker who relies on NJ Transit."

It's in everybody's interests to get to a resolution, he said, adding they are "wide open" for business.

"It's going to meet those two objectives; fair to them and fiscally responsible for us. We believe that a deal is there, and God willing, that will come to fruition," he added.

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri, for his part, said he is "fully" committed to Murphy's direction to get the deal done.

BLET members at NJ Transit said in a statement that they have been seeking a new agreement since 2019.

"Our members at NJ Transit had the full support of our national union, as well as the Teamsters," BLET National President Mark Wallace said Thursday.

"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," he added.