NJ Transit and an engineers’ union appear to be steaming ahead to the first major rail strike in decades starting early Friday, even as both sides convene in Washington, D.C., where they pledged to continue negotiations.

An NJ Transit strike could trigger other transit changes around the region, including worsening traffic due to displaced NJ Transit passengers driving to work. Newark Light Rail will operate extended peak hour service if a strike happens, NJ Transit said. NJ Transit will also add bus service on regular routes.

Beyonce fans might be better off riding a horse to next week’s “Cowboy Carter” concerts at MetLife Stadium if a strike shuts down NJ Transit rail service. NJ Transit’s train engineers could walk off the job as soon as Friday after Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers members voted to reject a tentative agreement between the leaders of the agency and the union.

A 37-year-old NJ Transit executive has been charged after authorities say he stole $700,000 worth of phones from the agency and then sold them for profit.

With a strike looming as soon as Friday, officials of NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers met with the National Mediation Board on Monday in Washington. No agreement was reached. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri thanked the board for convening the meeting in a statement,

NJ Transit and BLET face a May 15 deadline to reach a contract deal. A strike could start May 16, disrupting service.