December 14, 2005

MTA announces strike contingency plan

The MTA has just posted its strike contingency plan to its web site, and as one might guess, it's not good news.

The transit workers may walk off the job as early as the first minutes of Friday. "Expect lines, long waits, and delays," the MTA warns.

If there is a strike, subways will not run and "it is unclear if the following services will operate": NYC Transit local and express buses in Queens and Staten Island, MTA Bus and Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Buses, and Triboro Coach.

Cars will not be able to enter Manhattan south of 96th Street unless there are at least four people in the car. Even then, streets such as Fifth and Madison avenues will be closed to all but emergency vehicles. Taxis will be allowed to pick up multiple fares simultaneously.

Ferries will operate, as will the Staten Island Railway and the ccess-A-Ride paratransit service.

In case of a strike, all Metrocard expiration dates will be frozen, so don't throw them out if they expire during a strike.

Although contract negotiations resume this afternoon, NY1 notes that the MTA board this morning adopted "its budget for the coming year in a move that is sure to anger the Transport Workers Union."

To make it more interesting, the weather forecast calls for rain on Friday.

December 14, 2005 01:22 PM in Transportology

®Copyright 2006, All Rights Reserved