LIRR strike updates: MTA shuttle buses, contingency plans to get around if Long Island Railroad service stops
NEW YORK (WABC) — A Long Island Rail Road strike could go into effect Saturday at midnight if the MTA and unions representing workers cannot come to an agreement.
In the event that LIRR workers do go on strike on Saturday, the MTA says to be prepared for service to shut down entirely.
The MTA is continuing negotiations with the unions, but it is putting a contingency plan in place as a precaution.
MTA shuttle buses
Shuttle buses will run between the Ronkonkoma and Huntington LIRR stations and the Jamaica 179th Street subway stop in Queens. There, commuters can take the F train into Manhattan.
Buses will also run from the Bay Shore, Hicksville and Mineola stations as well as Hempstead Lake State Park. Those shuttles will go to the Howard Beach – JFK Airport subway station, where commuters can connect to the A train.
MTA map of shuttle bus options in the event of an LIRR strike.
MTA
Click for a printable map from the MTA
The shuttle buses will run during peak hours: toward Manhattan from 4:30 to 9 a.m. and to Long Island from 3 to 7 p.m.
NICE bus
Nassau County commuters should consider using NICE bus to connect to Flushing-Main Street to catch the No. 7 subway train or to the Jamaica Bus Terminal in Queens, which is a short walk to the 169th Street subway station for the F train.
Passenger drop-off locations
The MTA has a list of subway stations it recommends as drop-off points. They say these stations are close to major roadways that lead to and from Long Island.
- Kew Gardens-Union Tpke: EF
- Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd: A
Note: These stations do not have parking lots.
Work from home
The MTA recommends that anyone impacted by the strike should work from home if possible.
The shutdown will cause severe congestion and delays, so avoid any nonessential travel. If you must commute, give yourself plenty of extra time, no matter which mode of transportation you take.
Accessible travel alternatives
There will be accessible travel alternatives available on Long Island and in Queens:
Shuttle buses will transport customers from Bay Shore, Hempstead Lake State Park, Hicksville, and Mineola to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A station.
And buses will transport customers from Huntington and Ronkonkoma to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer EJZ station.
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