LIRR Service Could 'Shut Down Entirely' Next Week As Strike Looms: MTA

LONG ISLAND, NY — A Long Island Rail strike could take place as early as next week, shutting down services for nearly 300,000 people, official said.

According to the MTA Long Island Railroad on Twitter: "LIRR service may shut down as early as September 18."

On Thursday, Metropolitan Transportation Authority leadership announced contingency service options, with the potential LIRR strike poised to cause major disruptions to service across the entire LIRR operating region.

And, the MTA said: "If a strike happens, LIRR service would be forced to shut down entirely."

In a statement, the MTA continued: "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 percent 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."

Five unions —about 3,400 workers or 49 percent — of the LIRR's workers, are asking for retroactive raises that would mean a raise of 16 percent from three years ago, according to the New York Post.

The strike would be the first for the LIRR in more than 30 years, CBS News said.

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

Should a strike take place, severe congestion and delays are expected; the MTA offered tips.

"Avoid nonessential travel and work from home if possible," the MTA said. "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."

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 the NICE bus to connect with Flushing-Main Street and the Jamaica bus terminal in Queens, which is a short walk from the 169 Street subway station, the MTA said.. See the full NICE bus network map here.

The MTA recommends using the following subway stations as passenger drop-off points. The stations are close to major roadways that lead to and from Long Island, the MTA said. The stations do not have parking lots, so residents should 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