Engineers with NJ Transit went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Friday, bringing trains to a halt.

A final day of contract negotiations between the state-run commuter rail service and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen failed to reach an 11th hour deal, forcing an estimated 350,000 commuters to find another way to get to work.

NJ Transit and state officials strongly suggested people work from home if they can, but Metro-North is accepting cross tickets.

For Hudson Valley commuters in Rockland County who take NJ Transit on the Pascack Valley and Port Jarvis lines, Metro-North will honor rail tickets on the East of Hudson, Hudson Line and Harlem line services, as well as on Hudson Link buses to Tarrytown and White Plains stations and the Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry.

Parking will also be cross-honored at North White Plains station in Westchester.

According to NJ Transit officials, the two sides had been close to reaching a deal but could not reach agreement on a wages package that the state and NJ Transit management believe is affordable.

The two sides are due to return to the negotiating table by Sunday morning, but transit officials say they are ready to return to the table before then if the union is willing to do so.

This is New Jersey's first transit strike in 40 years.