Long Island Rail Road strike to disrupt tens of thousands of commuters

Tens of thousands of commuters in southeastern New York will face major disruptions after the Long Island Rail Road shuts down over a contract dispute.

The strike follows a failure to reach a new four-year agreement. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the unions settled on terms for the first three years, but talks broke down over the final year.

The union sought a 5 percent pay increase. The MTA offered a 3 percent raise with options that could reach 4.5 percent if the union accepted certain work-rule changes.

MTA officials have warned that a 5 percent increase would lead to higher fares across the system, including subways, buses and Metro-North.

The LIRR is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, carrying about 250,000 passengers each weekday.

Monthly ticket holders will receive prorated refunds for the days the strike affects service. Details on how to apply will be posted on the LIRR website.

More than 250,000 riders use the railroad daily, so many will turn to cars or remote work. Jason Russell, a professor at SUNY Empire, said only about 40 percent of workers can work from home, which will create headaches and heavier traffic in the short term.

The MTA will run shuttle buses from five Long Island locations to subway stations in Queens. Buses from Bay Shore, Hempstead Lake State Park near Lakeview, Hicksville and Mineola will serve the Howard Beach-JFK Airport A train station. Buses from Huntington and Ronkonkoma will serve the Jamaica-179th Street F train stop.

Riders are also urged to use NICE Bus routes to Flushing Main Street and the Jamaica Bus Terminal, both near subway entrances, or to work from home if possible.

The LIRR website said there is no substitute for the railroad and that its shutdown will cause severe congestion and delays.