In Ronkonkoma, LIRR commuters think of contingencies

At Ronkonkoma station, Brad Trotta, 22, said he’s bracing for disruption as a Long Island Rail Road strike nears.

A Manorville resident who rides into midtown about three days a week for a part-time job in media, Trotta said he hopes to talk to his boss and work remotely if trains stop running. He said he’s weighing alternatives like driving, but noted that prices to park in midtown are high.

“Obviously they'd rather you work in person, but if there's an issue with me commuting to the city, then that's what I'll have to do,” he said, adding he hopes the labor dispute is resolved fairly for transit workers.

Nick Simone, 65, a package handler from Ronkonkoma who uses the train to commute daily to Brentwood, said he plans to use an Uber or taxi to get to work if there is a strike. He said he feels sorry for riders who would suffer worse if trains stop.

He sympathizes with workers seeking higher pay — “Everybody deserves a fair share” — and said he hopes they can work out a deal with management to avert a strike.

“There’s always a solution,” he said.