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.
Tonight, the @MTA reached a fair deal with the five LIRR unions that delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 19, 2026
I’m pleased to announce that phased LIRR service will resume beginning tomorrow at noon.
View live Long Island traffic updates from the 102.3 WBAB Traffic Center
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.
- 179 St EF
- Far Rockaway-Mott Av A
- Flushing-Main St 7
- Jamaica Bus Terminal, a short walk from the 169 St F
- Jamaica Ctr-Parsons/Archer EJZ
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

Updates from the LIRR and MTA
Heads up for LIRR customers: Service will remain suspended for the AM rush tomorrow.
— LIRR (@LIRR) May 18, 2026
Please telework if that’s an option.
If you must travel, we’ll be offering limited shuttle bus service between Long Island and Queens for the AM and PM rush. Some subway stations in Brooklyn… pic.twitter.com/ffRN9otN7A
While LIRR service is suspended, we'll offer limited weekday shuttle bus service to/from six Long Island locations. Buses will run during peak hours with limited reverse-peak service on some routes.
— LIRR (@LIRR) May 17, 2026
Be sure to give yourself ample time if you plan to take a shuttle bus. There's… pic.twitter.com/Oy4ZITLANJ
If you’re in Nassau County and need to get to NYC while LIRR service is suspended, consider using @theNICEbus .
— LIRR (@LIRR) May 17, 2026
NICE will provide additional service starting Monday, May 18 on select routes between Queens and key transit hubs in Hicksville, Mineola, Great Neck, and Freeport. pic.twitter.com/T5HUpxAZmS
Since the LIRR service suspension went into effect, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about monthly ticket refunds.
— LIRR (@LIRR) May 18, 2026
We intend to issue prorated refunds to May monthly ticket holders for each business day that service is suspended due to the strike, pending approval from the MTA…
If you need help with your trip to/from Long Island today, we’ve got you.
— LIRR (@LIRR) May 18, 2026
• Customer ambassadors will be at shuttle bus sites on Long Island and in Queens to assist with directions, travel guidance, and more.
• Call 511 to get help from MTA staff 24/7.
• Use MTA app chat…


