With a Long Island Rail Road strike potentially kicking off this Saturday, May 16, the roughly 300,000 Long Islanders that rely on the LIRR to commute into NYC are in for a rude awakening.
To ease the expected chaos a LIRR strike would bring, Governor Kathy Hochul is sounding the alarm: if the service shuts down and you can work from home, you should.
Possible LIRR Strike Beginning Saturday, May 16
Five unions representing a majority of the LIRR’s workforce have threatened to strike as early as this Saturday, May 16. If a strike happens, LIRR service would be forced to shut down entirely.
The unions are currently in a stalemate with the MTA regarding pay raises and work rules.
The Work From Home Advisory
Governor Kathy Hochul kept it straightforward in a recent press release, urging anyone who doesn’t absolutely need to be in the city to steer clear. The press release reads:
At the Governor’s direction, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is prepared to provide shuttle buses for essential workers throughout the region, and Long Island employers and employees are encouraged to work remotely.
Why It Matters for You
Unfortunately, there’s no real alternative to the Long Island Rail Road, and a shutdown would likely trigger major congestion and widespread delays across the region.
A strike of this scale could severely disrupt the daily routines of nearly 300,000 commuters who rely on the LIRR to travel to and from the city each day.
If your trip into Manhattan isn’t absolutely necessary, now may be the time to start planning a work from home setup ahead of potential disruptions.
If you must commute, the MTA is urging riders to allow for significantly more travel time regardless of how they choose to get around. Roads are expected to be heavily congested, and buses, subways, and other transit alternatives could quickly reach capacity as displaced LIRR riders search for other ways into the city.
Travel Alternatives During the Potential LIRR Shutdown
Limited shuttle buses will operate on weekdays for essential workers and commuters who can’t work remotely. Service will run during peak hours:
- To Manhattan: 4:30–9 am
- To Long Island: 3–7 pm
Shuttles will connect these LIRR stations to subway hubs in Queens:
- Bay Shore → Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A)
- Hempstead Lake State Park/Lakeview → Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A)
- Hicksville → Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A)
- Huntington → Jamaica–179 St (F)
- Mineola → Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A)
- Ronkonkoma → Jamaica–179 St (F)
NICE Bus riders can also connect to the Flushing–Main St (7) station and Jamaica Bus Terminal for subway access into the city.
The MTA is also recommending these subway stations as passenger drop-off points for carpoolers and drivers:
- Far Rockaway–Mott Av (A)
- Kew Gardens–Union Tpke (E/F)
- Ozone Park–Lefferts Blvd (A)
- Sheepshead Bay (B/Q)
- Woodhaven Blvd (J)
Accessible shuttle options will also be available between Long Island and Queens subway stations.
