Updated May 17, 2026 / CBS New York
Long Island Rail Road employees were back on picket lines across New York City and Long Island on Sunday as the work stoppage entered its second day, heightening concern about Monday’s morning commute. The LIRR is the busiest commuter rail system in North America, carrying roughly 250,000 weekday riders; a prolonged strike is expected to push many commuters to find alternate routes into the city.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has activated a contingency plan that identifies recommended subway stations for passenger drop-offs and outlines limited, free shuttle bus service from several Long Island stations to subway connections. Shuttle routes announced include Bay Shore, Hicksville, Mineola and Lakeview to Howard Beach–JFK Airport, and Ronkonkoma and Huntington to Jamaica–179th Street. The MTA also says it intends to issue pro-rated refunds to monthly ticket holders.
Negotiations between the railroad’s unions and the MTA have been stuck for months, primarily over pay and health-care premiums. After talks stalled, workers began the strike just after midnight Saturday; no new negotiating sessions were scheduled as of Sunday.
Karl Bischoff, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said the union felt the MTA had not made a genuine effort to negotiate. “The MTA never really came to the table to negotiate until we had to call them out at their last board meeting,” he said, adding that members are unfairly held accountable while the board is not.
MTA President and CEO Janno Lieber responded on Sunday, saying the union “elected to cut off negotiations and go on strike and inconvenience everybody.” Lieber said the LIRR workforce is among the highest-paid in the national railroad system and argued that giving the demands sought by the union would strain the MTA budget and place additional burdens on taxpayers and riders. He warned that while fares don’t cover full operating costs, surrendering to higher demands would create a financial crisis.
The strike already disrupted weekend travel. Many Long Islanders trying to reach events such as the Subway Series between the Yankees and Mets at Citi Field, a Bruce Springsteen concert at Madison Square Garden, and the Brooklyn Half Marathon reported long delays and confusion. At Jamaica station, a major transit hub, some commuters arrived Sunday expecting regular service and found trains were not running. The shuttle buses announced as alternatives do not begin until Monday, leaving weekend travelers with few official options.
“It would’ve been a 15-minute train ride. Instead, it was like an hour and a half to get here,” said Alex Lupo, who traveled to Citi Field on Saturday night. “It’s pretty annoying. I hope they could figure this out. It’s really poor timing for this to happen during the Subway Series,” added Ryan Mattel.
With another Yankees–Mets game and other weekday obligations looming, transportation officials and union leaders offered no immediate resolution. Commuters are being urged to plan backup routes, allow extra travel time, consider carpooling, buses or ferries where available, and check official MTA updates for service and refund information as the situation develops.