NEW YORK (AP) – The transit union’s deadline to reach a new contract passed today with both sides still hopelessly at odds, but there was no immediate word on whether workers would walk off the job in what would be the city’s first transit strike in more than 25 years.

The Transport Workers Union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority were locked in intense negotiations in the hours leading up to the 12:01 a.m. deadline.

“As of this moment we have no progress to report and that’s not good because we have precious little time left before the deadline approaches,” Roger Toussaint, president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, said at a news conference late Thursday.

Half an hour before the deadline, MTA chief negotiator Gary Dellaverson took a break from talks to come down and angrily tell reporters that the union was putting forth last-minute “spin and misstatements” that were only delaying a deal.

New Yorkers were bracing for a strike that could come as early as this morning’s rush hour – a devastating scenario in a city where millions of people rely on buses and subways to get around.

The mayor’s office said Metro-North and Amtrak rail services into New York would not be affected.

Vehicles entering the busiest areas of Manhattan would be required to carry at least four people at certain times.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg headed to an emergency command center and was poised to put into effect a sweeping emergency plan to reduce gridlock and keep certain streets open for emergency vehicles. New Yorkers were urged to make arrangements to car pool, bicycle and walk to work, or change their schedules and work from home in the case of a strike.

“We are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst,” Bloomberg said.

Gov. George Pataki urged the union to keep working with the state agency and “bargain in good faith.”

“When it comes to a strike I have three words: Don’t do it,” Pataki said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Main sticking points included wage increases, pension rules and health care benefits. The union was not satisfied with the MTA’s offer of 6 percent raises over 27 months, and balked at their demand to raise the age of pension eligibility for new employees.

The workers want 8 percent annual raises over three years and contend they should get a share of the MTA’s $1 billion surplus. And after the transit bombings in Madrid and London, they also want more terrorism training.

The union has offered to reduce its pay raise demand if the MTA would promise to reduce disciplinary actions against workers.

The MTA has proposed 6 percent raises spread over 27 months. It says deficits are predicted for upcoming years and another surplus is unlikely.

Train operators, station agents and cleaners earn between $47,000 and $55,000 a year before overtime.

A walkout would be illegal under state law. Workers could lose two days’ pay for every day on strike. The city is asking for additional damages against individual transit workers: $25,000 for the first day of the walkout, doubling each day thereafter. The city is also seeking damages from the union of $1 million for the first day, doubling thereafter in a similar pattern.

Estimates are that a strike would cost the city hundreds of millions per day in overtime and lost business and productivity.

Police overtime alone would cost $10 million a day, the city says, since officers would have to maintain order in the streets.

The city’s contingency plan would require cars entering the busiest areas of Manhattan to carry at least four people at certain times. Motorists could pick up extra riders at park-and-ride areas.

Some streets would be closed to all but emergency vehicles. Taxis would be allowed to pick up multiple fares, and commuter rail lines would increase service.

Many companies are encouraging employees to telecommute or work outside the city. Some are arranging buses and ferries for their employees.

Joe Jacovino of the charter service U.S. Coachways said phones are ringing off the hook as companies line up transportation for their workers.

“It is going to be chaos in New York City. It will be total gridlock. But we’ll deal with it,” Jacovino said.

Edward Elkind, of Brooklyn, said his company had arranged for carpooling so he would be picked up by a co-worker if there were a strike.

“But we’re supposed to have a Christmas party tomorrow,” he said, “and that would be canceled.”

Other workers, like Robert Morse, were preparing to walk – taking a tip from the mayor, who said he’d trek across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall.

“However, I do have a bum leg,” Morse said, “so it may be a little difficult.”

The last time New York had a transit strike was 1980, when subways and buses sat motionless for 11 days. Tens of thousands of people mounted bicycles, walked and embraced creative modes of transportation like boats, private helicopters and roller skates.

In 2002, the union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority tussled over a new contract, but reached a deal hours after the deadline passed.

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Associated Press writers Pat Milton in New York and Michael Gormley in Albany contributed to this report.