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.

Thousands of Shakira fans will descend on MetLife Stadium Thursday and Friday night but they won’t have mass transit to get there — even if NJ Transit doesn’t go on strike at midnight as planned. NJ Transit said on Monday that its rail and bus lines to MetLife Stadium will not be running during the two-day period.

Shakira fans commuting from the TriState Area to her concerts at MetLife Stadium on Thursday and Friday (May 15-16) may need to rethink their travel plans. NJ Transit announced on Monday (May 12) it will be halting rail and bus service to the stadium for both shows.