Long Island Rail Road strike leaving riders with marathon travel times to NYC

On Day 1 of the Long Island Rail Road strike, riders reported their regular trips to and from New York City turned into marathons. 

Long Island drivers also faced heavy traffic Saturday, as people who would've taken the train were forced to hit the road, including Mets and Yankees fans heading to Citi Field for the Subway Series. 

Unclear when negotiations will resume

While there's been no word from the MTA or unions about when negotiations will pick up, the National Vice President of the Brotherhood for Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen gave some new insight on why talks fell apart. 

"We thought we were going to have something, and at the last minute, the MTA, in their usual fashion, wanted to throw in new items that were never discussed during any type of the negotiations, regarding healthcare, and that blew everything off the table," Jim Louis said. 

"We want a contract, we want something that's fair and equitable to be able to live here on Long Island and support our families," said one LIRR worker who was picketing Saturday. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she received an update from MTA leaders on the status of negotiations and plans for alternate service.   

"The MTA remains ready to negotiate, and I continue to urge both sides to stay at the table and work around the clock toward a deal that ends this strike," Hochul said in a social media post Saturday. 

"We refuse to make a deal that puts it on riders and taxpayers to fund outsized wage increases - far beyond what anyone else at the MTA is getting - and for folks who are already the highest-paid railroad workers in the country," MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in an earlier statement about the strike. 

Longer trips for riders

It's all quiet on the rails after LIRR union workers walked off the job amid the failed contract negotiations with the MTA.

"Woke up this morning, got to the LIRR and I was like, 'Oh s***, it's not running,'" said a rider named Devin from Port Washington.

Devin had to take two buses to visit his friend in Manhattan, which meant he had a longer day ahead of him than if the trains were running.

He didn't know how he'd get back home. 

"I might crash at a friend's house tonight," he said. 

Ramses Brye, of Queens Village, was on his way to work the overnight shift at a Syosset Amazon warehouse when he found out about the strike. 

"I took the train at midnight. That was the last time, and then I looked at the [TrainTime] app at like 12:30, and, like, yeah, they're definitely on strike," Brye said. 

Replacement shuttle bus service

MTA workers posted signs at Mineola Station, where starting Monday shuttle buses will take essential workers to and from New York City subway stations in Queens.

The MTA's strike contingency plan designates five subway stations as drop-off locations, which are also near major roadways to and from Long Island. 

Over the weekend, however, the Nassau Inter-County Express bus is all the area has.

"Fortunately the buses are reliable, but the trains would've been better," Brye said. 

It means riders will be dealing with excess travel times. 

"The train ride itself is 36 minutes. So, it turns out now an hour and 36 minutes instead of 36 minutes," said a rider named John from Mineola. 

Max Rallo, of Dix Hills, and his friends spend over $100 on an Uber ride from Long Island to Jamaica, Queens. 

"Now the plan's all messed up because I can't take a 45-minute train ride anymore. It's a two and a half hour trip," said Rallo, who said it was too early to think about how he'll get home. 

Subway Series impact

The Subway Series at Citi Field this weekend might be the unofficial litmus test for what commuters can expect Monday if the strike spills into the workweek.

Even with the Mets expanding their direct shuttle service for the series against the Yankees, fans faced obstacles getting to Saturday's game. 

Chopper 2 video showed backups on the Long Island Expressway, Grand Central Parkway and Northern State Parkway.

"Everyone has to use the LIE instead of mass transit. So the LIE was all backed up," said Ryan Mattell. "It's pretty annoying. I hope they can figure this out. Really poor timing for this to happen during the Subway Series."

"It was smooth, but it was bumper-to-bumper. It was like a parking lot," Ed Owens said.  

"It would've been a 15-minute train ride. Instead, it's like an hour and a half to get here," said Alex Lupo. 

"I heard my neighbor earlier, he was just like, 'Yeah, I'm giving up my tickets for Sunday because it's not worth driving," a fan named Daniel said. 

Fans leaving Friday night's game had to catch the last train before midnight in order to beat the strike.