STRIKE IS OVER: LIRR Unions and MTA reach a deal

Midnight Strike Deadline Looms For LIRR Commuter Rail NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 15: A Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train at Penn Station on May 15, 2026 in New York City. Commuters face major disruption as unions representing more than 3,500 workers prepare to strike from May 16, threatening to shut down the Long Island Rail Road America's busiest passenger rail service unless transit officials and labor leaders reach a last-minute contract agreement. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images) (Adam Gray/Getty Images)

After 3 days, the LIRR Unions and MTA have reached a deal to end the railroad workers’ strike, according to News 12.

LIRR officials say service for Tuesday morning will still be suspended. According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, service will resume beginning at Noon on Tuesday.

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Here are several options for public transportation that you can use while the LIRR service is being restored, courtesy of the MTA.

Shuttle Buses

The MTA will provide limited shuttle bus service on weekdays for essential workers and those who cannot telecommute. Buses will run during peak hours (toward Manhattan from 4:30 to 9 a.m. and to Long Island from 3 to 7 p.m.) to/from six locations on Long Island to subway transfer points in Queens. There will also be limited reverse peak service available on some routes.

Peak and reverse peak direction service

  • Bay Shore (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A​
  • Huntington (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St F at Hillside Av and 179 St
  • Ronkonkoma (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St F at Hillside Av and 179 St

Peak direction service only

  • Hempstead Lake State Park, near Lakeview (LIRR), to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A​
  • Hicksville (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A​
  • Mineola (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A​

There is no charge for shuttle bus service. Tap and ride using your phone, credit or debit card, or OMNY Card for transfers to the subway and MTA buses.

NICE Bus

Nassau County customers should also consider using NICE Bus to connect to/from points in Queens, both at peak and reverse peak times. NICE will provide additional service starting Monday, May 18 to/from key transit hubs in Hicksville, Mineola, Great Neck, and Freeport. Learn more about this additional service.

See below for MTA locations with NICE Bus connections.

Visit the NICE Bus website for more information and service changes, or use the NICE GoMobile app to plan your trip. Use your phone, credit or debit card, or OMNY Card to tap and ride on NICE Bus.

Passenger drop-off locations

We recommend using the following subway stations as passenger drop-off points. These stations are close to major roadways that lead to and from Long Island. These stations do not have parking lots, so please do not plan to park there.

  • Far Rockaway-Mott Av A​
  • Kew Gardens-Union Tpke EF​
  • Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd A​
  • Sheepshead Bay BQ​
  • Woodhaven Blvd J​

Accessible travel alternatives

Accessible travel options will be 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 Station.
  • Shuttle buses will transport customers from Huntington and Ronkonkoma to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer EJZ​ station.

View the LIRR Strike Shuttle Bus Service Map

LIRR Shuttle Bus Service Map

Updates from the LIRR and MTA

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