NEW YORK (AP) — Trains are rolling again on the Long Island Rail Road 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 heading east toward Long Island 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.”
Labor union leaders, meanwhile, began briefing rank-and-file members about the contract terms, said Jamie Horwitz, a spokesperson for the five unions. Voting was expected to take place over the coming days according to each union's contract ratification process.
Commuters in the eastern suburbs of New York City, meanwhile, muddled through another tough morning rush hour. Trains weren't ready for service in time for the commute into work as the agreement was reached late Monday.
The LIRR still urged riders to work from home again Tuesday if possible. Shuttle buses were 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 declined to disclose details of the new contract terms until they're approved by union members. But the Democrat, who is up for reelection, has stressed the deal won’t increase fares or taxes.
Free on Tuesday said the two sides simply “found another way” to make the numbers work.
“There are things in there that make it more affordable, make it more palatable for the unions to agree upon, and make it easier for us to fit within our financial structure,” Free said.
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.
