Long Island Rail Road service might shut down entirely on Saturday, May 16, if LIRR unions go on strike.
A coalition of unions said on Tuesday that they will continue talks with LIRR officials on Wednesday, which may delay or prevent the strike altogether.
Union workers are asking for a 5 percent wage increase in their upcoming contract, while the MTA is offering 3 percent raises and says it may be able to raise that to 4.5 percent with concessions.
If a strike is called this weekend, the LIRR, which serves around 300,000 passengers every day, will have limited public transit options for trips to New York City.
The MTA is urging those who ride the LIRR for work to work from home if possible, but is offering limited shuttle bus service for those who cannot telecommute.
“Unfortunately, there is no substitute for the Long Island Rail Road, and its shutdown will cause severe congestion and delays. Avoid nonessential travel and work from home if possible,” the LIRR said in a press release. “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 to New York City subway stations on weekdays during peak hours from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. heading towards New York City, and 3 to 7 p.m. heading towards Long Island.
The six bus shuttle stations will be: Bay Shore (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport, A Subway Line, Ronkonkoma(LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St, F Subway Line, at Hillside Av and 179 St, Hempstead Lake State Park, near Lakeview (LIRR), to Howard Beach-JFK Airport, A Subway Line, Hicksville (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport, A Subway Line, Huntington (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St, F Subway Line, at Hillside Av and 179 St, and Mineola (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport, A Subway Line.
For drivers entering New York City, the MTA also recommends drop-off points at subway stations near major roadways leading to and from Long Island. These are: Far Rockaway-Mott Ave, A Line, Kew Gardens-Union Tpke, E and F Line, Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd, A line, Sheepshead Bay, B and Q line, and Woodhaven Blvd, J line.
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