Possible Long Island Rail Road strike. Photo: Colinmthompson / Shutterstock.com The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has issued a travel advisory regarding a possible railroad union strike that may lead to a complete shutdown of the busiest commuter railroad in North America starting Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The possible Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike organized by five unions "would have a devastating impact on the nearly 300,000 passengers who depend on the LIRR to get where they need to go every single day," argued the MTA.
It could also lead to the suspension of the Jamaica AirTrain JFK Station, affecting transit to and from JFK airport.
"Please budget extra travel time and plan to use alternative travel options, like the MTA’s A train to Howard Beach, or the E, J, or Z train to Jamaica. Limited shuttle bus service will be available from Long Island and points east," explained the MTA.
"LILR service may shut down as early as May 16 if railroad unions go on strike. Avoid nonessential travel and work from home, if possible. The MTA will provide limited shuttle bus service on weekdays for essential workers and those who cannot telecommute," said LILR.
To help reduce disruption, the MTA plans to operate limited weekday shuttle bus services for essential workers and those unable to work from home.
The buses will run during peak commuting hours, heading toward Manhattan between 4:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., and returning to Long Island between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Shuttle services will connect several Long Island locations with subway transfer points in Queens, including routes from Bay Shore, Hempstead Lake State Park, Hicksville, and Mineola to the Howard Beach JFK Airport A train station. Additional services from Huntington and Ronkonkoma will connect passengers to the Jamaica 179th Street F subway station.
Nassau County commuters are also being encouraged to use the NICE bus system for connections to the Flushing Main Street 7 train station and the Jamaica Bus Terminal, located near the 169th Street F subway station.
For travelers being dropped off by car, the MTA recommends using subway stations near major roadways leading to and from Long Island, including Far Rockaway Mott Avenue, Kew Gardens Union Turnpike, Ozone Park Lefferts Boulevard, Sheepshead Bay, and Woodhaven Boulevard. Officials noted that these stations do not offer parking facilities and should only be used for passenger drop-offs.
The MTA also said it intends to provide prorated refunds for May monthly ticket holders for each business day that rail service is suspended because of a strike, pending board approval.