Alternatives and Challenges During Long Island Rail Road Strike

The Long Island Rail Road has been shut down since Saturday because of a worker strike, leaving many commuters without their regular travel options. In response, New York transit officials devised alternative solutions for those unable to work remotely, though these measures can’t accommodate every passenger who relies on the rail service.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (M.T.A.) has introduced free shuttle bus services starting Monday. These buses will transport passengers from six locations on Long Island to two subway stations in Queens during morning and evening rush hours.

Shuttle Bus Details:

• Buses will run every 10 minutes from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Buses from Bay Shore, Hicksville, and Mineola L.I.R.R. stations, as well as Hempstead Lake State Park, will shuttle passengers to the A train at Howard Beach-JFK Airport.
• Buses from Huntington and Ronkonkoma will take passengers to the F train at Jamaica-179 Street.
• Limited service is available in non-peak directions at select Suffolk County stations.

For Nassau County commuters, the regular bus service NICE connects to the No. 7 train in Flushing, among the city’s busiest subway stations, or to the Jamaica Bus Terminal for the F train. However, cooperation from NICE bus drivers remains uncertain due to their union’s advice not to adjust routes for alternative service.

John Samuelsen, president of the Transport Workers Union, urged drivers not to be pressured into changes by management, encouraging solidarity among colleagues.

Another option involves parking at Citi Field in Queens for a $6 fee, allowing commuters to board the No. 7 train at Mets-Willets Point. However, gaps remain at various railroad stations, limiting shuttle capacity to around 13,000 riders each way compared to the rail’s 270,000 daily passengers. The service is being prioritized for workers with no other travel options.

The expectation is for increased driving or drop-offs at subway stations in Queens and Brooklyn, although no extra parking facilities will be available. Officials foresee possible congestion on the Long Island Expressway and State Parkways due to the disruption.

Refunds will be issued by the M.T.A. for monthly rail pass holders for business days without service.

Stefanos Chen covers New York City’s transit system for The Times.