Both the CEO of NJ Transit and the leader of the union representing hundreds of locomotive engineers expressed optimism Wednesday evening about reaching a deal to avoid a potential rail strike before 12:01 a.

With a possible NJ Transit strike looming later this week, engineers protested in front of the agency's headquarters on Wednesday in Newark.If the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and NJ Transit don't reach a new contract by 12:01 a.

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.