The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), the nation’s busiest commuter railroad, will restart operations by midday Tuesday after a strike brought service to a halt for over three days. The strike ended when union representatives and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reached a labor deal aimed at raising worker pay while avoiding fare or tax increases.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the agreement late Monday, emphasizing that the deal protects both riders and taxpayers by preventing additional financial burdens. She highlighted the administration’s firm stance against fare hikes, saying the issue was resolved “period, full stop.” While union leaders have yet to reveal detailed terms to their members, they expressed eagerness to return to work.
The strike began shortly after midnight on Saturday amid an extended dispute over wages involving five unions representing roughly 3,500 railroad employees. This shutdown marked the first LIRR strike since 1994 and left thousands of commuters scrambling for alternative transportation during critical weekday hours.
Service will resume in stages starting at noon, with full operations expected by the evening rush hour. The timing is particularly notable as it allows fans to use the train for the NBA Eastern Conference Finals game hosted at Madison Square Garden, adjacent to Penn Station.
The MTA previously announced that weekday morning service on Tuesday would remain suspended, prolonging commuter disruptions. The return to the negotiating table was prompted by the National Mediation Board, which sought to accelerate talks after union representatives reportedly showed little urgency earlier in the process.
Governor Hochul thanked Long Islanders and other affected commuters for their patience and accommodation during the inconvenience, noting the sacrifices many made, including working from home. Commuter advocacy groups acknowledged the hardship of the strike while remaining cautiously optimistic about restored service.