If the engineers do walk off the job, the agency plans to increase bus service, saying it would add “very limited” capacity to existing New York commuter bus routes in close proximity to rail stations and will contract with private carriers to operate bus service from key regional park-and-ride locations during weekday peak periods.

Transit agencies across the region are rolling out emergency plans as a possible NJ Transit rail strike threatens to disrupt service for riders starting Friday.

At issue is the union's demand for a raise of $55,000 to bring their salaries on par with other regional rail carriers.