Alternate Travel Options for Long Island Rail Road Disruption

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service has been shut down due to a worker strike that began Saturday. New York transit officials have implemented contingency plans for commuters affected by the suspension, but these options are not sufficient to serve all passengers relying on LIRR.

Starting Monday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is providing free shuttle bus services from six Long Island locations to two subway stations in Queens, with return services during evening rush hours. Morning shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes between 4:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., while afternoon services are scheduled from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Shuttle buses are departing from Bay Shore, Hicksville, Mineola LIRR stations, and Hempstead Lake State Park near Lakeview station, connecting riders to the A train at Howard Beach-JFK Airport. Buses from Huntington and Ronkonkoma link commuters to the F train at Jamaica-179 Street. Additional buses in Suffolk County will have limited runs in non-peak directions.

In Nassau County, commuters can use regular services provided by the Nassau County bus system, NICE, to access the No. 7 train in Flushing or the Jamaica Bus Terminal for F train connections. However, NICE bus drivers may refuse overtime work, raising concerns about potential cooperation with these plans.

John Samuelsen, President of the Transport Workers Union, advised bus drivers against altering routes to support alternate services, voicing his support on social media for railroad workers during the strike.

Additional measures include parking availability at Citi Field in Queens for $6, allowing riders to use the No. 7 train at Mets-Willets Point. Despite these options, gaps remain across the railroad’s 126 stations, with shuttle buses accommodating only around 13,000 riders, compared to the LIRR’s daily service of over 270,000 riders. These shuttle services should prioritize workers without alternative transportation methods.

Due to the suspension, transit officials anticipate increased congestion on the Long Island Expressway and Northern and Southern State Parkways. The MTA promises refunds for monthly rail pass holders for missed business days without train service.

Stefanos Chen reports for The Times, focusing on New York City’s transit system.