🚌 LIRR Strike - Alternative Transportation Options
🚌 Long Island → NYC by Bus: Complete Connection Guide
>With LIRR service disrupted, here's how to get from Long Island to NYC subway connections using MTA shuttle buses, NICE Bus, and Suffolk County Transit (SCT).
Useful Links
- 📍 MTA Shuttle Bus Map (printable)
- 🚌 NICE Bus LIRR Info — download the GoMobile app for real-time arrivals
- 🚌 SCT Trip Planner
Master Route Table
| Starting Point | Bus Service(s) to Take | NYC Subway Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Shore | SCT 2, 7, 11, or 12 → MTA Shuttle | Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A) |
| Huntington | SCT 1, H10, or H20 → MTA Shuttle | Jamaica–179 St (F) |
| Ronkonkoma | SCT 51, 52A, or 52B → MTA Shuttle | Jamaica–179 St (F) |
| Hempstead Lake State Park (near Lakeview) | n15 → MTA Shuttle | Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A) |
| Hicksville | n20H, n22, n24, n48, n49, n78, n79, or n80 → MTA Shuttle | Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A) |
| Hicksville | n24 → Roosevelt Field → n24 (Jamaica-bound) | 179 St (F) |
| Hicksville | n22 → Mineola → n22 (Jamaica-bound) | 179 St (F) |
| Mineola | n15, n22, n23, n24, n40, or n41 → MTA Shuttle | Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A) |
| Mineola | n22, n22X, or n24 (Jamaica-bound) | 179 St (F) |
| Great Neck | n20G | Flushing–Main St (7) |
| Glen Cove | n21 → Great Neck → n20G OR n20X | Flushing–Main St (7) |
| Port Washington | n23 → Northern Blvd → n20H → Great Neck → n20G | Flushing–Main St (7) |
| Port Washington (RUSH HOURS) | n23 → n20X | Flushing–Main St (7) |
| Hempstead | n6 (Jamaica-bound) | 179 St (F) |
| New Hyde Park | n24 from Jericho Tpke (Jamaica-bound) | 179 St (F) |
| Roslyn | n20X from Roslyn Clock Tower is an option during rush hours which heads directly to/from the (7). | Flushing–Main St (7) |
| Freeport | n4 or n4X | Jamaica Ctr–Parsons/Archer (E, J, Z) |
| Massapequa / Seaford / Bellmore / Merrick | n19 (Freeport-bound) → Freeport → n4 (Jamaica-bound) | Jamaica Ctr–Parsons/Archer (E, J, Z) |
| Rockville Centre / Lynbrook / Valley Stream / Baldwin | n4 from Merrick Rd stops | Jamaica Ctr–Parsons/Archer (E, J, Z) |
| Farmingdale | n70 from Hempstead Tpke (Hempstead-bound) → n6 (Jamaica-bound) | 179 St (F) |
| Long Beach | n33 → Far Rockaway | Mott Ave (A) |
| Long Beach | n15 to Rockville Centre → n4 (Jamaica-bound) | Jamaica Ctr–Parsons/Archer (E, J, Z) |
| Long Beach LIRR Station | Special bus service, departing Long Beach Station at 6:05am, 7:05am, and 8:05am to Far Rockaway (A). For the evening rush, buses will depart from Far Rockaway at 5:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm. | Far Rockaway (A) |
| The 5 Towns (Cedarhurst, Lawrence, etc.) | n31 or n32 from Central Ave / W. Broadway → Far Rockaway | Mott Ave (A) |
| Amityville / Massapequa Park | n54/n55 to Hempstead → n6 (Jamaica bound) | 179 St (F) |
>⚠️ There is no full substitute for the LIRR. Alternatives will be near or at capacity. Roads will be severely congested. If you must commute, give yourself significant extra time.
🚌 MTA shuttle buses (WEEKDAYS ONLY)
The MTA is offering replacement shuttle bus service to select LIRR stations. No charge. Note that the busses will not be able to fully replace LIRR service and is first come, first serve.
Peak + reverse peak service:
| From (LIRR station) | Bus Connections | To (Subway) |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Shore | SCT 2, 7, 11, 12 | Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A) |
| Huntington | SCT 1, H10, H20 | Jamaica–179 St (F) |
| Ronkonkoma | SCT 51, 52A, 52B, | Jamaica–179 St (F) |
Peak direction only**: toward Manhattan 4:30–9:00 a.m., back to Long Island 3:00–7:00 p.m.**
| From | Bus Connections | To (Subway) |
|---|---|---|
| Hempstead Lake State Park (near Lakeview) | n15 | Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A) |
| Hicksville | n20h, n22, n24, n48, n49, n78, n79, n80 | Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A) |
| Mineola | n15, n22, n23, n24, n40, n41 | Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A) |
📍 Printable MTA shuttle bus map
🚌 NICE Bus (Nassau County)
Connects to Queens subway stations at peak and reverse peak times. Use nicebus.com or the NICE GoMobile app to plan your trip. Tap with phone, credit/debit, or OMNY Card.
| Queens connection point | Subway | NICE routes |
|---|---|---|
| 179 St | E, F | n1, n6, n6x, n22, n22x, n24, n26 |
| Far Rockaway–Mott Av | A | n31, n31x/m, n32, n33 |
| Flushing–Main St | 7 | n20g, n20x |
| Jamaica Bus Terminal (short walk to 169 St) | F | n1, n6, n6x, n22, n22x, n24, n26 |
| Jamaica Ctr–Parsons/Archer | E, J, Z | n4, n4x |
🚌 Suffolk County Transit (SCT)
Trying to get to/from Suffolk County? sctbus.org has a trip planner worth checking.
The NICE routes that connect to SCT buses are:
- n79 — starts from Hicksville
- n70 — starts from Hempstead
- n54 — starts from Hempstead
🚗 Passenger drop-off stations (NYC Subway)
If someone is driving you in, use these stations near LI facing roadways.
⚠️ None have parking lots — do not plan to park here.
| Station | Lines |
|---|---|
| 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
- Bay Shore, Hempstead Lake State Park, Hicksville, Mineola → Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A)
- Huntington, Ronkonkoma → *Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer (E/J/Z)
Important Details
Service Types & Hours
- MTA Shuttle Buses — Free, weekdays only
- Bay Shore, Huntington, Ronkonkoma: peak + reverse peak service
- Hempstead Lake SP, Hicksville, Mineola: peak direction only (toward Manhattan 4:30–9:00 AM / back to LI 3:00–7:00 PM)
- NICE Bus — Regular scheduled routes (not dedicated LIRR shuttles). Extra buses during AM/PM rush from Hicksville, Mineola, Great Neck, and Freeport starting Mon May 18.
- Suffolk County Transit (SCT) — Connects to MTA shuttles and NICE routes. Use sctbus.org trip planner.
Fares & Payment
| Service | Fare | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| MTA Shuttle Bus | Free | No fare required |
| NICE Bus | $3.00 one way (1 free transfer) | OMNY, credit/debit, coins (no bills), or MetroCard |
| NYC Subway/Bus | Standard fare | Use OMNY or credit/debit for automatic transfers |
>⚠️ LIRR tickets are NOT cross-honored on NICE Bus. 💡 Tip: Use OMNY or contactless credit/debit for seamless transfers between NICE and MTA subway/bus.
SCT ↔ NICE Connections (for Suffolk County)
| NICE Route | Starts From | Connects To |
|---|---|---|
| n79 | Hicksville | SCT routes |
| n70 | Hempstead | SCT routes |
| n54 | Hempstead | SCT routes |
To reach these from the MTA shuttle network, take the shuttle to Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A) first, then connect.
