LIRR Restores Full Service to NYC Rush Hour

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said on May 19 that Long Island Rail Road service resumed at noon after a three-day strike ended with a tentative agreement between the MTA and five unions. The agency said full service would be back for the evening rush, after a phased restart on four electrified branches earlier in the day. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said late on May 18 that the deal would deliver raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers. LIRR President Robert Free said the railroad expected a normal weekday schedule on all branches beginning around 4 p.m. ### Which trains started running first after the strike ended? Robert Free said the first train from Penn Station was scheduled to leave at 12:03 p.m. for Ronkonkoma, with initial service focused on the Babylon, Huntington, Ronkonkoma and Port Washington branches. ABC7 reported the first trains also departed from Grand Central Terminal shortly after noon, heading east toward Long Island. The MTA said service resumed at noon in time for the evening rush. (mta.info) The MTA said it needed the overnight and morning hours to conduct mandatory inspections and return crews and equipment to service before regular operations could restart. Hochul said phased service would begin at noon on May 19 after the agreement was reached just before 9 p.m. on May 18. ### Why was the morning commute still disrupted on May 19? (cbsnews.com) The strike ended too late on May 18 for the railroad to restore service for the Tuesday morning commute, MTA Chief Executive Janno Lieber said. He said workers were reporting back immediately, but trains would not be available for the morning rush. The MTA urged riders to work from home if possible and kept limited shuttle bus service in place during peak hours. (cbsnews.com) Shuttle buses ran from six Long Island locations to subway transfer points in Queens, including routes from Bay Shore, Huntington, Ronkonkoma, Hicksville and Mineola. The MTA said the buses were intended for essential workers and others who could not telecommute, and said there was no charge for the service. ### What did officials say about evening rush-hour service? (cbsnews.com) Robert Free said that once the afternoon rush began, the railroad would have service on all branches on a normal weekday schedule. ABC7 reported railroad officials were anticipating a normal evening rush hour, with full service into and out of New York City. The MTA said in a press release issued at 3:45 p.m. on May 19 that the LIRR was "back to moving Long Islanders" following the work stoppage. (mta.info) The MTA also said limited shuttle buses and other travel alternatives would remain available through the evening rush as service normalized. Riders were directed to use the TrainTime app and the agency's service page for the latest trip information. ### What ended the strike, and what is known about the deal? (cbsnews.com) Kathy Hochul said the MTA and the five LIRR unions reached "a fair deal" that delivers raises for workers without requiring tax or fare increases. Kevin Sexton, national vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said negotiators could not discuss the specifics because of the nature of the talks, but said members were looking forward to returning to work. (mta.info) The walkout began at midnight on May 16 after years of bargaining, according to CBS New York and ABC7. CBS reported that about 3,500 unionized workers walked off the job, while the shutdown disrupted travel for roughly 250,000 to 300,000 weekday riders, depending on the estimate cited by local outlets. ### What should riders watch next? (cbsnews.com) Jamie Horwitz, a spokesperson for the five unions, told ABC7 that union leaders had begun briefing rank-and-file members on the contract terms. ABC7 said voting was expected to take place over the coming days under each union's ratification process. The MTA said it intends to issue prorated refunds to May monthly ticket holders for business days affected by the strike, pending board approval. (cbsnews.com) (abc7ny.com)