Possible LIRR strike: How to get around if service shuts down this weekend
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A Long Island Rail Road strike could go into effect Saturday at midnight if the MTA and unions representing workers cannot come to an agreement.
In the event that LIRR workers do go on strike on Saturday, the MTA says be prepared for service to shut down entirely.
The MTA is continuing negotiations with the unions, but they are putting a contingency plan in place to be safe.
MTA shuttle buses
Shuttle buses will travel from the Ronkonkoma LIRR station and the Huntington LIRR station to the Jamaica 179th Street subway stop in Queens. There, commuters can take the F train into Manhattan.
Buses will also run from the Bay Shore, Hicksville and Mineola stations as well as Hempstead Lake State Park station. Those shuttles will go to the Howard Beach - JFK Airport subway station where commuters can connect to the A train.
NICE bus
Nassau County commuters should consider using NICE bus to connect to Flushing-Main Street to catch the No. 7 subway train or to the Jamaica Bus Terminal in Queens, which is a short walk to the 169th Street subway station for the F train.
Passenger drop-off locations
The MTA has a list of subway stations that they recommend for passenger drop-off points. They say these stations are close to major roadways that lead to and from Long Island.
- Far Rockaway-Mott Av: A
- Kew Gardens-Union Tpke: EF
- Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd: A
- Sheepshead Bay: BQ
- Woodhaven Blvd: J
Note: These stations do not have parking lots.
Work from home
The MTA recommends that anyone impacted by the strike should work from home if possible.
The shutdown will cause severe congestion and delays, so avoid any nonessential travel. If you must commute, give yourself plenty of extra time, no matter which mode of transportation you take.
Accessible travel alternatives
There will be accessible travel alternatives available on Long Island and in Queens:
Shuttle buses will transport customers from Bay Shore, Hempstead Lake State Park, Hicksville, and Mineola to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A station.
And buses will transport customers from Huntington and Ronkonkoma to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer EJZ station.
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