MTA: Shuttle buses will run, but hold only a fraction of trains' capacity
LIRR and MTA officials did not provide updates on contract negotiations during a 4:30 p.m. news conference beyond that the two sides continue to talk.
They otherwise are laying down plans in case of a strike, the LIRR's president, Rob Free, told reporters.
The MTA said it would use shuttle buses to substitute if there is a strike, but noted that those would not be able to handle the typical capacity of trains.
The Long Island Rail Road contingency shuttles can accommodate roughly 10% of the average daily commuter load, said MTA chief customer service officer Shanifah Rieara.
She said the buses can take 13,000 people in the morning rush and the same number in the evening rush. That's a fraction of the roughly 135,000 people who ride the trains on the average workday. Officials added that shuttle buses should be left for essential workers.
Free said that the unions have assured the MTA that workers would stay on the job if they are working aboard trains running past midnight.
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
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