NYC Transit Strike Info and Links
For those of you who don’t know, transit workers (i.e. city bus and subway workers) have gone on strike as of 3AM this morning. This means that people are either walking, driving themselves or taking cabs to get where they’re going. Generally, it’s a huge inconvenience for everyone, especially because it’s Christmas shopping season and it’s very cold outside. Lot of folks are mad but they’re getting where they’re going. That’s right, New Yorkers may be mad but they’re moving which doesn’t surprise me. The people affected most are those in the boroughs outside Manhattan where there are fewer available cabs for those without their own vehicle. Of course, driving in Manhattan is as bad as ever. There are a wide variety of rules and restrictions for cabs and drivers that relate to this strike. It;s very confusing so I though that I would provide some links to resources that will help folks out:
WEBSITES
- Strike Contingency Plan Website - The city’s official website for the strike contingency plan. Lots of info, maybe too much on all aspects of the contingency plan.
- HopStop New York - Hoofing (or cycling) it? Check out this website for point to point directions between addresses or major city sites.
- 1010 WINS - Official website for New York’s most popular local AM Radio news station. They’ve got updates on the negotiations, the status of the strike and opinions from angry commuters. You can also listen online to get the latest.
KEY RULES
- For Drivers - Must have four people in your vehicle below 96th Street between 5AM and 11AM, Monday thru Friday. These restrictions also apply on bridges and tunnels leading to and from Manhattan. Word is that these rules are being strictly enforced.
- For Taxi Cabs - Taxis will be required to pick up multiple passengers. Passengers will pay a special strike fare that is different from normal fares. These fares are based on zones (zone map) designated by the City. Basically, a one zone trip will cost you $10 with $5 for each extra zone that you enter. No, you don’t split your fare with other occupants of the cab. Everybody pays separately. Trips to and from the airport at set at $20 from LaGuardia Airport and $30 from JFK airport. The multiple passenger rules apply to/from the airport as well so get ready to be crammed in.
- For Walkers and Cyclists - The rules are…there ain’t no rules! You rule the roost during these troubled times. Click here for a map of the points where you can walk/cycle into the city. Get a cycling map here. Also, there’s additional bike storage available at the following parks: Washington Square Park, Tompkins Square Park, Union Square Park, Madison Square Park, Bryant Park.
ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
- To/From Queens and Long Island - Long Island Rail Road
- To/From Harlem, The Bronx and Westchester - Metro North Railroad
- Downtown on the West Side up to 33rd Street - PATH Train
Defacto strike theme song: Go With The Flow by Brother Love
Keep your chin up, have a high carb breakfast, dress warm and above all, keep smiling.
