Dear HPD Staff,

 

A Long Island Rail Road strike is possible as early as Saturday, May 16. If a strike occurs, LIRR service could be suspended entirely, potentially causing significant transportation disruptions throughout the region.

 

Given the potential impact on employee commutes and agency operations, HPD employees who could be affected by the strike are encouraged to begin planning for alternate transportation options and possible travel delays. Essential staff and those performing essential in-person functions, including inspectors, construction project managers, and other field-based operational staff, should allow for additional travel time when commuting to in-person assignments or field operations and are expected to report to work as scheduled.

 

Non-essential staff should review telework options with their supervisors in advance and should not assume remote work is automatically authorized. Guidance is as follows:

  • Staff who live in areas affected by the strike and are approved to work remotely may telework if unable to commute.
  • Employees who are unsure whether they are eligible to telework should contact their supervisor before assuming remote work is permitted.
  • Staff must notify their supervisor if teleworking due to the strike.
  • Unplanned absences must be charged to annual leave or compensatory time balances.
  • Late arrivals caused by unforeseen transportation circumstances related to the strike may be excused.

 

If you have questions about time and leave policies related to the strike, please contact AskHR@hpd.nyc.gov.

 

HPD leadership will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide additional guidance and operational updates as needed. Employees should remain attentive to agency communications and coordinate with their supervisors regarding any anticipated impacts to their work schedules or assignments. The MTA will provide updates via its website: http://mta.info/lirrstrike.

 

Alternate Transit Options

 

Shuttle buses

The MTA will provide limited shuttle bus service on weekdays for essential workers and those who cannot telecommute. Buses will run during peak hours (toward Manhattan from 4:30 to 9 a.m. and to Long Island from 3 to 7 p.m.) to/from six locations on Long Island to subway transfer points in Queens. There will also be limited reverse peak service available on some routes.

 

Peak and reverse peak direction service

  • Bay Shore (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A)
  • Huntington (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St (F) at Hillside Av and 179 St
  • Ronkonkoma (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St (F) at Hillside Av and 179 St

 

Peak direction service only

  • Hempstead Lake State Park, near Lakeview (LIRR), to Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A)
  • Hicksville (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A)
  • Mineola (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A)

 

There is no charge for shuttle bus service. Tap and ride using your phone, credit or debit card, or OMNY Card for transfers to the subway and MTA buses.

NICE bus

Nassau County customers should also consider using NICE Bus to connect to/from points in Queens, both at peak and reverse peak times. See below for MTA locations with NICE Bus connections.

 

  • 179 St (E) (F)
  • Far Rockaway-Mott Av (A)
  • Flushing-Main St (7)
  • Jamaica Bus Terminal, a short walk from the 169 St (F)
  • Jamaica Ctr-Parsons/Archer (E) (J) (Z)

 

See the full NICE Bus network map for route information and service changes, or use the NICE GoMobile app to plan your trip. Use your phone, credit or debit card, or OMNY Card to tap and ride on NICE Bus.

 

Passenger Drop-Off Locations

We recommend using the following subway stations as passenger drop-off points. These stations are close to major roadways that lead to and from Long Island. These stations do not have parking lots, so please do not plan to park there. 

 

  • Far Rockaway-Mott Av (A)
  • Kew Gardens-Union Tpke (E) (F)
  • Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd (A)
  • Sheepshead Bay (B) (Q)
  • Woodhaven Blvd (J)

 

Accessible Travel Alternatives

Accessible travel options will be available on Long Island and in Queens. 

  • Shuttle buses will transport customers from Bay Shore, Hempstead Lake State Park, Hicksville, and Mineola to Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A) station.
  • Shuttle buses will transport customers from Huntington and Ronkonkoma to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer (E) (J) (Z) station.

 

Shuttle Bus Map Link

 

Refunds for Monthly Ticket Holders

We intend to issue prorated refunds to May monthly ticket holders for any business day that service is suspended due to the strike, pending board approval. Check back soon for more details on how to apply for a refund.