NYC transit strike
 

With relatives flying in for the holidays, what's the best way to get into the city from JFK for a couple of days of shopping for them. We would be driving in from Connecticut to pick them up but if there is a minimum of 4 occupants per vehicle, there would be some difficulty.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this!

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index...&aid=55640

The JFK Airtrain and Long Island Railroad will both be running if there is a strike as they're not part of New York City Transit. This combination will get you into Penn Station, where you can probably get a cab - although it will be a long wait as demand will be high.
You can also get a cab from JFK into Manhattan.


Once in Manhattan, you're options are a cab, PATH (runs between 33rd Street and World Trade Center, and nice cold walk.

What about from La Guardia to Midtown on Saturday and back to airport on Sunday? I can do without cabs once I am in Manhattan. Options?

There's a shuttle bus from LGA to Port Authority or Grand Central.

Thanks for the tips. Since they are coming in from JFK is it easier to take the subway or the LIRR into midtown? They will be carrying their luggage for the week.

If there is a strike, the subway won't be running and LIRR is your only option. Either way, LIRR is better option with luggage. Easiest option would be a cab.

If they're carrying their own luggage, maybe it would be easiest to take the New York Airport Service
(http://www.nyairportservice.com/) shuttle to Grand Central, then use Metro North commuter train to get to CT. (MN ,b>is still running, right?)

Are the 4 passenger minimum for the boros too, or just Manhattan??

If they're carrying their own luggage, maybe it would be easiest to take the New York Airport Service
(http://www.nyairportservice.com/) shuttle to Grand Central, then use Metro North commuter train to get to CT. (MN <b>is</b> still running, right?)

Are the 4 passenger minimum for the boros too, or just Manhattan??

What the *$@ ? Sorry about that.

I believe that the 4-passenger minimum is for Manhattan only, below 96th Street.

The entire thing is a nightmare, so be prepared...I have also read that the contingency plans may take up to 24 hours to put in place, so Friday could be really, really bad all the way around.

Just so you know - the 4 people minimum is for Monday through Friday only - there are no special rules for the weekends.

And once you're in the city be prepared to walk everywhere. It is unclear how many taxis will be available (many drivers support the transit workers - and some at least will not drive) and getting one around Christmas in popular areas is usually difficult anyway.

I think the restriction is for Manhattan only - I think you can get to JFK from Connecticut w/o hitting the city. If you do drive, leave time for the traffic!

For further information about the contingency plans, including airport travel, you can visit http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/
or
www.nyc.gov

Four-person minimum is only for weekdays until 11am into Manhattan below 96th, as far as I know. Don't worry. Chances are they will settle tonight.

I will be flying in to Newark. Will I still be able to take the airtran? I was told I could take this into penn station, is this a fact? Thanks

The Airtrain at Newark takes you to the Newark Airport train station where you can get a NJ Transit or Amtrak train into NY Penn Station. Take NJ Transit as it's much less expensive.

Just for an update- the latest is that there will be a strike, but only a partial one. It affects two bus lines in Queens (lines that were private but recently became part of MTA). The union has given a new deadline of Tuesday, after which they will strike on a larger scale if they feel it is necessary.

If you have a trip planned to NYC next week, please keep an eye on the news so that you can plan your activities accordingly. http://www.nyc.gov

From WNBC:

MTA Chairman Says Rejected Offer Was Final Offer
Union Calls For Partial Strike On 2 Queens Bus Lines

POSTED: 7:18 am EST December 14, 2005
UPDATED: 12:41 pm EST December 16, 2005

NEW YORK -- The head of New York City's bus and subway system declared Friday that the offer rejected by labor a few hours earlier was management's final offer.

&quot;There is no more,&quot; said Peter Kalikow, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.