Busiest US commuter rail system resumes operations as deal reached to end strike
May 19, 2026, 10:47 AM | Updated: 10:48 am
A passenger looks at a closed off entrance to the Long Island Rail Road at Grand Central station, Saturday, May 16, 2026, in New York, on the first day of a strike after five unions representing about half the LIRR's workforce walked off the job. (Heather Khalifa, AP Photo)
(Heather Khalifa, AP Photo)
NEW YORK (AP) — Trains are rolling again on the Long Island Rail Road on Tuesday after a deal was reached to end a strike that had shut down the busiest commuter rail system in the country.
The first trains departed from Manhattan’s Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal shortly after noon on Tuesday. Trains were also scheduled to depart from other stations on the four main branches of the system after that time, with full service expected to be back across all branches at 4 p.m. in time for the evening rush.
“It was a difficult circumstance, but I’m very happy and I’m very pleased that we’re back in business,” said Robert Free, president of the LIRR, shortly before the first trains departed. “We’re back to doing what we do best, and that’s providing service, and keeping this region moving.”
Commuters in the eastern suburbs of New York City still had to muddle through another tough morning rush hour, as trains weren’t set to be running in time for the commute into work after the agreement was reached late Monday.
The LIRR still urged riders to work from home again Tuesday if possible. Shuttle buses were being offered from a handful of locations on Long Island to subway stations in New York City.
Five labor unions representing about half the train system’s workforce went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, halting service for roughly 250,000 commuters who use the rail system that connects New York City to its eastern suburbs every weekday.
Hallie Kessler was among the weary Long Island commuters who welcomed the strike’s end. With the trains out of service, the 24-year old speech therapist commuted three hours home from her job at a public school in the New York City borough of Queens on Monday.
“Obviously I wish trains would be running when peak hours start so I could avoid the long morning commute, but happy to not deal with it in the afternoon when I’m leaving work,” Kessler said. “Curious what the deal says about future fares, which has been a big concern, but we’ll see.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and railroad officials have said they’re not at liberty to disclose details of the new contract terms until they’re voted on and approved by union members. But the Democrat, who is up for reelection, stressed the deal won’t increase fares or taxes and will give unionized workers the fair wages they deserve.
The first impacts of the walkout were felt over the weekend, as baseball fans had to find other ways to get to Citi Field in Queens to see the New York Mets take on their crosstown rivals the New York Yankees.
Hochul said the deal ensures basketball fans won’t meet the same fate as they travel to watch the New York Knicks continue their playoff run on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, which is located directly above the LIRR’s Penn Station hub in Manhattan.
The unions — which represent locomotive engineers, machinists, signalmen and others — and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority had been negotiating a new contract since 2023, but talks had stalled over salaries and healthcare.
The unions have said raises were needed to help workers keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living in the New York City area. The MTA had said the union’s initial demands would lead to fare increases and set a difficult precedent for negotiations with other transit unions.
The strike was the first walkout for the LIRR since a two-day strike in 1994.
Read more: Utah leaders say expect better prices, fewer trucks on the roads with opening of new railway facility
