Possible LIRR strike and service shutdown on September 18

Some Long Island Rail Road unions have threatened to strike as early as Thursday, September 18. If a strike happens, LIRR service would be forced to shut down entirely. 

The MTA has bargained in good faith with the unions representing LIRR employees. However, some of those unions have rejected a contract that offered 9.5% wage increases over a period of three years, which approximately half of the LIRR workforce has already accepted. The terms offered would ensure that LIRR employees remain the highest-paid railroad employees in the country. 

A strike would have a devastating impact on the nearly 300,000 passengers who depend on the LIRR to get where they need to go every single day. MTA leaders will continue to negotiate with the unions in an effort to ensure that a strike does not happen. 

However, we want riders to be prepared in case employees do go on strike.

Unfortunately, there is no substitute for the Long Island Rail Road, and its shutdown will cause severe congestion and delays. Avoid nonessential travel and work from home if possible. 

If you must commute, give yourself ample travel time, no matter which mode you take. There will be congestion on the roads and travel alternatives will be near or at capacity due to an influx of additional riders.

Shuttle buses

The MTA will provide limited shuttle bus service on weekdays for essential workers and those who cannot telecommute. Buses will run every 10 minutes during peak hours (toward Manhattan from 4:30 to 9 a.m. and to Long Island from 3 to 7 p.m.) from three LIRR stations to subway transfer points in Queens.

• Bellmore Station (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport   
• Hicksville Station (LIRR) to Mets-Willets Point   
• Ronkonkoma Station (LIRR) to Mets-Willets Point   

NICE bus

Nassau County customers should also consider using NICE bus to connect with Flushing-Main St   and the Jamaica Bus Terminal in Queens, which is a short walk from the 169 St   subway station. See the full NICE bus network map.

Passenger drop-off locations

We recommend using the following subway stations as passenger drop-off points. 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. 

• Far Rockaway-Mott Av   
• Kew Gardens-Union Tpke   
• Mets-Willets Point  
• Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd   
• Parsons Blvd  
• Sheepshead Bay   
• Woodhaven Blvd  

Accessible travel options will be available at Bellmore, Hicksville, Howard Beach-JFK Airport  , Mets-Willets Point  , and Ronkonkoma stations. Please ask customer ambassadors at those stations for assistance.

We intend to issue prorated refunds to September monthly ticket holders for any business day that service is suspended due to the strike, pending board approval. Check back soon for more details on how to apply for a refund.