Strike ends, trains creep back
After a three-day walkout, the Long Island Rail Road slowly resumed operations Tuesday when the MTA and transit unions struck a deal late Monday. Crews spent the next morning repositioning to get trains moving again, and service restarted on key branches just after noon.
Which lines resumed first
The Babylon, Huntington/Port Jefferson, Port Washington and Ronkonkoma branches were the first to see trains running both ways around midday. Service between Atlantic Terminal and Jamaica kicked back in after about 12:30 p.m., with other lines returning throughout the afternoon. Riders were advised to check schedules closely as the timetable kept shifting.
Expect patchy service — and adjustments
Transit bosses urged people who can work from home to do so while crews restored normal operations. Officials said they planned to tweak schedules during the day and add trains when possible, aiming to have all lines running by the evening rush — just in time for a big Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
Shuttles and buses filled the gaps
Limited shuttle buses ran from several LIRR stations into the city in the morning, and shuttle service from a couple of Queens subway stations continued in the afternoon to a handful of Long Island stops. Some shuttle routes did not operate during the evening commute, so commuters needed to plan accordingly. Nassau’s NICE Bus also ramped up service to help bridge the disruption.
Riders felt the pinch
The strike rattled roughly 270,000 daily riders, turning some commutes into marathon affairs — especially for essential workers who couldn’t skip town. What would normally be a routine trip stretched by hours for some people over the three days.
Looking forward
Rail officials said they’re ready to add more trains as crew availability improves, so service should smooth out over the day. Still, expect last-minute schedule changes and give yourself extra time until everything is back to normal — or until the subway gods smile upon us again.
