LIRR strike means train service is shut down. Here's how to commute to NYC.
With no agreement between the MTA and unions representing LIRR workers, train service officially shut down Saturday as a strike was declared.
Hundreds of thousands of New York commuters will be impacted while workers remain off the job.
While the MTA is encouraging those who can to work from home, they also developed contingency plans. The subway is going to become a major artery for LIRR riders in the event of a strike.
The MTA released the list of final trains that will be running on each line Friday night ahead of the strike that started at midnight. Trains that were in operation at midnight would continue to their final destinations, MTA officials said.
"We don't want any customers getting stranded on board our trains. So we'll ensure that they get home safely," said LIRR President Rob Free.
Friday night final trains
Babylon Branch
- 11:45 p.m. westbound from Babylon to Penn Station
- 11:51 p.m. eastbound from Penn Station to Babylon
Brooklyn service
- 11:31 p.m. from Atlantic Terminal to Jamaica
- 11:39 p.m. from Jamaica to Atlantic Terminal
Far Rockaway Branch
- 11:30 p.m. eastbound from Grand Central to Far Rockaway
- 11:14 p.m. westbound from Far Rockaway to Grand Central
Hempstead Branch
- 10:55 p.m. westbound from Hempstead to Grand Central
- 11:54 p.m. eastbound from Grand Central to Hempstead
Long Beach Branch
- 10:53 p.m. westbound from Long Beach to Penn Station
- 11:57 p.m. eastbound from Penn Station to Long Beach
Montauk Branch
- 8:50 p.m. eastbound from Jamaica to Montauk
- 10:53 p.m. eastbound from Jamaica to Speonk
- 10:03 p.m. westbound from Montauk to Jamaica
- 11:30 p.m. westbound from Patchogue to Jamaica
Oyster Bay Branch
- 11:30 p.m. westbound from Oyster Bay to Jamaica
- 11:43 p.m. eastbound from Jamaica to Oyster Bay
Port Jefferson Branch
- 10:20 p.m. eastbound from Penn Station to Huntington with connection to Port Jefferson
- 11:48 p.m. eastbound from Penn Station to Huntington with no connection to Port Jefferson
- 11:52 p.m. westbound from Huntington to Penn Station
- 9:26 p.m. westbound from Port Jefferson to Huntington with connection to Penn Station
- 11:28 p.m. westbound from Port Jefferson to Huntington with no connection at Huntington
Port Washington Branch
- 11:36 p.m. westbound from Port Washington to Penn Station
- 11:45 p.m. from Penn Station to Port Washington
Ronkonkoma Branch
- 11:37 p.m. eastbound from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma
- 11:54 p.m. westbound from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station
West Hempstead Branch
- 11:18 p.m. eastbound from Jamaica to West Hempstead
- 11:58 p.m. westbound from West Hempstead to Jamaica
Shuttle bus locations
Thirty two years after the last LIRR strike, shuttle buses are once again the MTA's Plan B. With only 275 of them, however, there's not enough capacity for the nearly 300,000 daily riders.
Shuttle buses will run between six Long Island locations and the NYC subway in Queens.
The shuttle buses will run during peak hours from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. toward Manhattan and from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. to Long Island. Limited reverse peak service, meaning going to Long Island in the morning and toward the city in the evening, will be available only on three routes.
Officials said there is no charge for the shuttle bus service. Several towns will suspend parking regulations at shuttle bus locations.
Peak and reverse peak service
- Bay Shore (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A
- Huntington (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St F at Hillside Avenue and 179th Street
- Ronkonkoma (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St F at Hillside Avenue and 179 Street
Peak direction
- Hempstead Lake State Park, near Lakeview (LIRR), to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A
- Hicksville (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A
- Mineola (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A
NICE bus can transport Nassau County residents
The Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus can connect commuters to and from points in Queens.
Here is a list of MTA locations with NICE Bus access:
- 179 St EF
- Far Rockaway-Mott Av A
- Flushing-Main St 7
- Jamaica Bus Terminal, a short walk from the 169 St F
- Jamaica Ctr-Parsons/Archer EJZ
Passenger drop-off locations
The MTA released a list of subway stations for passengers to get dropped off.
"These stations are close to major roadways that lead to and from Long Island. These stations do not have parking lots, so please do not plan to park there," the MTA said.
- Far Rockaway-Mott Av
- Kew Gardens-Union Tpke
- Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd
- Sheepshead Bay
- Woodhaven Blvd
LIRR service to AirTrain JFK
John F. Kennedy International Airport officials said the AirTrain service will continue to operate in the event of a strike, but it will be harder for commuters to get to the Jamaica station where the train is if the LIRR is shut down.
"Please budget extra travel time and plan to use alternative travel options, like the MTA's A train to and from Howard Beach, or the E, J, or Z train to and from Jamaica," a social media post read.
There will also be a limited shuttle bus service between Howard Beach and Long Island on weekdays during peak hours for essential workers.
NYU Langone employees will have ferry transportation
The Glen Cove City Council approved two resolutions to help NYU Langone Health employees to get to and from work on weekdays if there's a strike.
Glen Cove officials will allow the New York City Water Taxi to use Glen Cove's ferry terminal to transport staff.
"This is something that may happen; it may not happen. It depends upon the railroad strike. We're trying to help Langone as much as we can," said Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck.
Other hospital systems are organizing private shuttles from park and rides.
Mets will have additional shuttle buses
The Subway Series is set for this weekend between the Mets and the Yankees.
Baseball officials announced there will be additional shuttles to existing Long Island routes and a new line departing from the Manhasset LIRR Station.
The New York City Department of Emergency Management also provided options for fans:
- Take the 7 subway to Mets-Willets Point
- Seastreak Ferry service from Stamford, Highlands and St. George
- NJ Transit rail service to Manhattan, then transfer to the E train to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue or the 1,2, or 3 to Times Square-42nd Street before taking the 7
- Citi Bike access in Queens and Manhattan
- Rideshare pickup and drop-off at Citi Field
Shuttle tickets are $8.99 per ticket for round-trip service or $25 for a family of four for the new route. The other routes are $8 round trip or $22 for a family of four.
Fans will automatically receive refunds if there is no strike and the shuttle service isn't needed.
