MTA Hires Drivers for 2,100 LIRR Strike Shuttle Riders as Unions Denounce 'Scabbing'
Updated
Updated · Gothamist · May 18
MTA Hires Drivers for 2,100 LIRR Strike Shuttle Riders as Unions Denounce 'Scabbing'
16 articles · Updated · Gothamist · May 18
About 2,100 commuters used MTA shuttle buses Monday morning after the Long Island Rail Road strike entered the workweek, with buses linking five LIRR stations to Queens subway hubs.
The agency said the service costs roughly $550,000 a day and can carry about 13,000 riders, a small fraction of normal LIRR demand.
Union leaders said drivers from Peter Pan, Coach USA and J & F Tours were crossing the picket line by replacing rail service, while TWU said one unionized bus operator refused the work in solidarity.
Coach USA defended the contract as a way to move essential workers, and some riders said the buses helped even as the strike squeezed commuters.
Contract talks between the MTA and striking unions resumed Monday morning, but a source familiar with the negotiations said progress was very slow.
Are LIRR workers, the nation's highest-paid, justified in striking for more pay in one of America's most expensive regions?
The wage gap is under 1%, but the strike costs $61M daily. Why can’t both sides bridge this small financial divide?
Long Island Rail Road Strike Disrupts 300,000 Daily Riders: Wage Standoff, Economic Losses, and Political Pressure
Overview
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike entered its second day on May 17, 2026, bringing all commuter trains to a halt and causing widespread disruption across the region. Penn Station was nearly empty, with LIRR platforms blocked and departure boards showing 'No Passengers.' In response, the MTA encouraged people to work from home and activated contingency plans, making the New York City subway the main alternative for stranded riders. Officials prepared to add resources to the subway system, but the strike still created major inconvenience, especially for sports fans and daily commuters, highlighting the region’s heavy reliance on LIRR service.