LONG ISLAND / NEW YORK CITY. Governor Kathy Hochul’s latest Long Island Rail Road strike briefing puts the Monday commute in practical terms: riders who can work from home should do so, while essential workers will have only limited substitute options compared with normal LIRR capacity.
What changed for commuters
- Remote work encouraged: Hochul asked regular commuters who can work from home to do so while the strike disrupts service.
- Limited shuttle buses: The Governor said the MTA would deploy shuttle buses beginning at 4:00 a.m. to move essential workers from Long Island toward subway stations in Queens.
- Nassau bus options: Riders who cannot work from home may also look to Nassau Inter-County Express bus connections into Queens subway service.
- Citi Field parking option: With the Mets away, Citi Field was described as a park-and-transfer option for the 7 train.
- No full replacement: The state emphasized that buses and subways cannot fully replace normal LIRR capacity.
Why businesses should pay attention
For employers in Manhattan, Queens and Long Island, the immediate risk is not only employee lateness. A rail shutdown can affect deliveries, appointments, retail foot traffic and nonprofit services. Organizations with hybrid capacity should communicate remote-work rules early, stagger schedules where possible and keep client-facing teams aware of longer travel times.
FAQ
Is this a complete substitute for LIRR service?
No. The Governor’s office and MTA described the bus plan as limited. It is mainly intended to help essential workers reach subway connections, not to replace the full railroad schedule.
What should regular commuters do?
If remote work is possible, the state is asking commuters to work from home while the disruption continues. Riders who must travel should check MTA and county bus updates before leaving.
Source: Governor Kathy Hochul pressroom, May 17, 2026. Read the official release, video links and rush transcript.