Gridlock Sam's Transit Strike Survival Guide
FACTSMAPLIRRMETRO NORTHTAXIS QUESTIONS

Breaking News! The TWU has voted to restore sevice. The City's strike contingency plan will end at 12:01 a.m. Friday morning.

Hallelujah!  You've survived the 2005 Transit Strike.  What a century so far for New York commuters who, in the first 5 years of the millennia faced the horror of 9/11, the blackout of 2003-4, record snowfall and now a transit strike.  You are the heartiest of the hearty and the most resilient commuters on earth.

Now you may call it a coincidence but the resumption of transit service coincides with my birthday, Friday the 23rd.  I'm expecting most of the buses to be running but full subway service is unlikely to resume until Friday evening's rush hour.  Here's why:

All the tracks must be walked to ensure that they are aligned and safe.  Although unlikely, there could be some madman who has tampered with the tracks.  The TA needs to make sure.  That takes a while.  Trains are in yards and are undoubtedly out of position.  Murphy's Law says that the first train to run is parked behind all the other trains.  So there's lots of jockeying to be done.  The trains themselves need to be checked as well to make sure they are safe.  All stations must be checked and cleaned before opening.  So please be patient.  A Merry Christmas to my Christian readers, a Happy Chanukah to my Jewish readers, a joyous Kwanzaa and a wonderful weekend to all.

Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue have been partially opened to traffic between 23rd St. and 96th St. On both streets one right hand lane will coned off for emergency vehicles, and general traffic will be allowed to run on the rest of the street.

Tip of the Day:

Staten Island commuters can drive over the Bayonne Bridge to Jersey City and take PATH to New York City or the Hudson Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) to PATH or a trans-Hudson ferry. The Liberty Park station park and ride lot is directly accessible from the NJ Turnpike. Another, less utilized HBLR park and ride lot is located on West Side Avenue.

They can also take the Goethals Bridge to NJ Transit stations in Elizabeth , and at Newark Airport and Newark Penn Station-- where they can also take Path to the WTC and 33rd St. The Outerbridge Crossing can be used to access NJ Transit trains from the Metropark station.

Overall, parking could be tight, so arrive early at these facilities.

RESTRICTIONS: All passenger vehicles entering Manhattan at or below 96th Street between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday to Friday MUST HAVE 4 OR MORE OCCUPANTS. Currently there is no restriction on vehicles entering Manhattan between 10 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday but a weekend restriction is still under consideration. There will be no occupancy requirement for passenger vehicles exiting Manhattan.

There will also be a restriction on traveling on major highways in New York City from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. These include:

• Belt Parkway from 4th Avenue to Gowanus Expressway merge at 60th Street
• Brooklyn-Queens Expressway from Gowanus Expressway to the Manhattan Bridge
• Bruckner Expressway from Bruckner Interchange to the Triborough Bridge
• FDR Drive/Harlem River Drive from Dyckman Street to E. 96th Street
• Gowanus Expressway from 92nd Street to Brooklyn-Queens Expressway Interchange(bus/HOV EZ-Pass lane for buses and emergency vehicles only)
• Henry Hudson Parkway from Mosholu Parkway to W. 72nd Street
• Long Island Expressway from Grand Central Parkway to Queens-Midtown Tunnel (bus/HOV EZ-Pass lane for buses and emergency vehicles only)
• Prospect Expressway from Church Avenue to the Gowanus Expressway
• Central Park Drive West from West 110th Street to Central Park South

Expect NYPD checkpoints at all bridge and tunnel crossings as well along these roadways.

IMPACTS: SUSPENSION OF ALL NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT SUBWAY SERVICE. SUSPENSION OF SERVICE FOR ALL MANHATTAN, BRONX, AND BROOKLYN BUSES. QUEENS AND STATEN ISLAND BUSES ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY THE TWU (THEY ARE REPRESENTED BY THE ATU). IN PREVIOUS STRIKES THE ATU HAS JOINED WITH THE TWU BUT THERE IS NO CONFIRMATION THAT THEY WILL DO SO THIS TIME.

ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES SUSPENDED

VIEW THE CITY'S LIST OF PARKING RESTRICTIONS, HERE

NON-ESSENTIAL CONSTRUCTION WORK SUSPENDED

P0TENTIAL IMPACTS: Long Island Rail Road and Metro North Railroad (during the 1980 transit strike both MTA railroads went out in sympathy for the first two days of the NYCT strike)

MTA Bus (a new entity that did not exist during 1980 strike) operates some of the former City private bus companies-Liberty Lines, New York Bus and Queens Surface Bus-all of which will NOT be operating if the strike occurs (and if NYCT is not operating). Command Bus will probably strike too. Green Bus Line whose employees are represented by ATU will continue to operate during a transit strike, as long as the TWU does not set up picket lines at their facilities. ATU will not cross the picket line.

Avoid La Guardia Airport. Trains will still be running to JFK (LIRR to AirTrain) and Newark from Penn Station.

OPTIONS: All PATH trains will still be operating into and out of Manhattan. Commuters can use this service to replicate a small portion of the NYCT system as PATH stops at 33rd, 23rd, 14th, 9th Streets (along Sixth Avenue) then onto Christopher Street. Pay-per-ride Metrocards will work at PATH stations, but the unlimited ride cards will not. PATH costs $1.50.

SIRTOA (Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority), the railroad that runs the length of Staten Island is part of the federal railway system and not represented by the TWU. It is NOT expected to strike and has not in previous strikes.

For the most up to date information on what happening with the impending transit strike go to www.nyctransitstrike.com or www.nyc.gov or call 311. Again all of this information is subject to change by the City.

BACKGROUND: New York City Transit workers are barred from striking under the aegis of the Taylor Law, and although the penalties for doing so are severe they have struck in the past. The penalties for striking include employee loss of pay (two days pay for every day out); significant fines for the union (upwards of $1M per day) and the loss of Dues Checkoff for the Union (probably the most costly as this is the amount deducted from an employee's paycheck and provided to the Union). The last NYCT strike was 1980.

DAY 1 SUMMARY: Here is what worked and what didn't on the first day of the transit strike:
Local Streets were packed during the morning commute. We got reports of many cars with less than 4 passengers trying to get onto bridges and highways causing delays. Once you were on the highways, traffic was usually light. The major exception was the Henry Hudson Parkway where it took almost an hour to get from 180th St. to 125th St. The NYPD tells me things will run more smoothly tomorrow.
I also received several reports of cabbies gouging customers. This should not be tolerated! If you suspect price gouging, get a receipt, take the taxis medallion number and call 311 to report it.
Many people were commenting that motorists were not stopping at designated pickup points even though they had less than 4 passengers. Come on New Yorkers, Help Each Other Out!

In the morning the heaviest delays were eastbound on the Gowanus at the Prospect Expressway and the Gowanus Canal, and the BQE at Atlantic Ave. Westbound the LIE at Van Dam street was among the worst. The Cross Bronx was packed southbound at Castle Hill Ave., and the Bronx River Parkway.

Pedestrians and bikers may find the Brooklyn Bridge overwhelmed. Head for the Manhattan Bridge instead. Pedestrian access is at Jay St., and cyclist access at Sands St., or look at the map here

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Can I drive into Manhattan if there is a transit strike?
Between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. you must have four (4) or more occupants in your vehicle to enter Manhattan at any river crossing below 96th St. At this time there is no HOV requirement in place for the weekends, but again, that may change.

If I want to carpool, are there locations where drivers and riders can meet?
Yes, there are a number of locations the City has established for just this purpose. They are Shea and Yankee Stadiums; Staten Island Yankee Stadium; the PNC Arts Center (along the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey); Giants Stadium; Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx; Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Flushing Meadow Park in Queens, and Throgs Neck Bridge Park in the Bronx. During the 1980 transit strike many people went to bridge, tunnel, and highway entrances and got picked up by cars needing more occupants. Always use judgment before getting into a stranger's car. (Although I can't recall anyone complaining about a bad experience.) Check out the City's map of all carpool locations.

What if, I have a doctor's appointment, job interview, show tickets, wedding, funeral or ..?
Don't count on any exceptions. Try to make your appointments for the afternoon to play it safe.

Will motorists with New York City Special Parking Identification handicapped permits be exempt from the 4+ rule?
During the 1980 strike drivers with the City's SPI permit were exempt from the 4+ rule, and I expect that to be the case this time as well. Other handicapped permits, such as the more common hanging tag may be honored or not, depending on NYPD's determination.

Do I have to have 4+ occupants in my car to leave Manhattan?
No. But good citizens will be helping those who need rides.

What restrictions will be in place for commercial vehicles?
Commercial vehicles will not be allowed to enter the city below 96th St. between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday to Friday. Also, even after 11 a.m., deliveries will not be allowed on the restricted streets listed below. All vehicles traveling southbound within Manhattan will be subject to the HOV 4 rule at 96th St.

I live in Manhattan and travel within the City; will I need to always have 4 or more in the car with me?
If you are headed southbound from above 96th St., and have less than 4 people in the car you will be turned back at 96th St. Once you are below 96th St. you can drop off some passengers and you should be okay.

Will access be restricted to any streets?
Yes, major arterial roads such as the FDR Drive and West Street as well as certain cross streets may be declared priority and restricted to emergency vehicles only or for high occupancy use only. Other restricted streets may be 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue between 23rd St. and 96th St. between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Also, the following streets are restricted for emergency vehicles, buses, commuter vans with passengers, motorcycles and paratransit vehicles from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. 26th, 29th, 49th, and 50th Streets will be restricted between 1st Avenue and 12th Avenue, and Church Street south of Chambers St.

In Lower Manhattan the following streets are reserved, and will only allow emergency vehicles at all times: Rector St. between West St. and Broadway, Nassau St. between Wall St. and Spruce St., Warren St. between West St. and Broaday, Vesey St., between Church St. and Park Row, and Maiden Ln between Water St. and Church St.

Will the Central Park Drives be open?
Yes. The Central Park drives will be open 24-hours a day, but will be operating as express lanes. If you enter the park at 59th St. and 6th Ave. you will not be allowed to exit until you are above 96th St. If you enter the park at 110th St. and are headed south you will be allowed to exit at any west side exit. The transverses will operate as normal.

I'm a taxicab driver do I need to have 4 or more in my car?
To enter Manhattan YES! You'll need at least 3 passengers. The city will probably want cabbies to pick up fares in the outer boroughs and bring them into Manhattan. It is also likely that once in Manhattan, as a cab you may be required to pick up multiple fares. Access-A-Ride vehicles, ambulances and ambulettes will be exempt. Find more information on rules governing taxi rules and regulations here. See the TLC's map of fare zones and fare structure here

I driver a mini-Cooper, my car can't handle more than 2 people, does that make me exempt?
No, the size of your vehicle doesn't exempt you from the 4 or more rule with one exception, motorcycles will be allowed with one or two riders.

I make deliveries to Manhattan everyday at 7 a.m. will I still be able to do this?
Unlikely, that is right smack in the middle of peak travel times and therefore may not permit you to enter the City. If you can try and schedule deliveries for before 5 a.m. and after 11 a.m. Although the City has not come out with a restriction on deliveries it is high on the list for consideration and will be likely to happen if the 4 or more requirement doesn't ease traffic.

Can I get a ferry into Manhattan?
Yes, ferries will probably be the best way into Manhattan. The City will be providing free inter-borough ferry service on nine routes from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens to points in lower Manhattan and midtown. The Staten Island Ferry will run from St. George Terminal to Whitehall Street every 15 minutes. Parking lots at the St. George Terminal will be limited to cars with 4 or more passengers. Click for a map of ferry locations.

I work nights, what happens if I'm on the train on the night of December 15th and the strike happens, will we be stranded?
No, all transit operators are mandated to bring their trains into terminal stations. But just in case, NYCT will have managerial/supervisors on all trains operating that night and they can operate the train if needed.

I do some shopping at the stores down in the subway, will I be able to get to them even if I can't get into the fare control area.
No, NYCT will seal off access to all subway stations if there is a strike.

I normally walk/bike over the Brooklyn Bridge to get to work, will I still be able to do so if there is a transit strike?
Yes, all bridges with pedestrian access will continue to have that access. Bikers will probably have to walk their bikes across the bridges.

What about through traffic from and to New Jersey, Long Island and New England , you know the kind that doesn't stop?
There's only one way through Manhattan with fewer than 4 in a car and that is to take a Harlem River bridge such as the Cross Bronx Expressway over the Alexander Hamilton Bridge onto the Trans-Manhattan Expressway and out via the George Washington Bridge or visa-versa. To get from Brooklyn to New Jersey, take the Belt Parkway to the Verrazano to the Staten Island Expressway or use local streets entering the bridge at 92nd Street through Staten Island and out by the Goethals or Outerbridge Crossing.

My wife is having a baby. Can I get to Downtown-NYU Hospital or should I use another one?
Try and schedule your appointments for after 11 a.m. or see if your doctor is affiliated with another hospital outside of Manhattan . However, if the baby is on his or her way, that's an immediate medical emergency and exempt from the occupancy restriction.

Can my husband pick me up at the hospital?
I will be staying overnight in a hospital at East End Avenue and 87 th Street . Can my husband come alone to pick me up or do we need to ask someone else to come with him? He'll be coming in from Queens. Your husband will need three others with him to get into Manhattan . However for the trip home just the two of you will be fine.

Can a single driver go from Manhattan to Brooklyn?
You can leave Manhattan alone any time you want. There are no occupancy restrictions from existing the City.

Is GW Bridge open to one-passenger cars from NJ before 11 a.m. today?
Yes, the occupancy restriction are for those river crossings at or below 96 th Street . Hence, the GWB falls outside that restricted area.

A re restrictions in effect on weekends?
No, there are no restrictions currently in place for weekends. If this changes, we will be the first the let you know.

I work in a hospital emergency room. Can I drive in alone?
I am employed by a city hospital on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 96th Street . Would I be able to cross either the Queensboro or Williamsburg bridges at 7.00 a.m. to get on the FDR? I was hoping I could present my hospital ID to the cops and be able to go through. I work in the Emergency Room and sometimes get called in on days off.
No, but if you can't get three friends to join you, opt for the Triborough Bridge, head south on Second Avenue . North of 96 th Street there won't be any restrictions.

Police wouldn't let me drive in with toddler son; said he didn't count as an occupant.
Kids are people too and count toward the four you'll need to get into Manhattan.

My wife is about to give birth. Will I be able to get to NY Hospital from Riverdale?
If the cops’ stop you just say there are two of you and your wife is having twins to make it four! Works every time. After all, we don’t want your children to be born out of Gridlock!

I am commuting to the City from Westchester and can't make the 4+ rule on the Henry Hudson Parkway. Is there an alternate route?
Yes, There is a way around the Henry Hudson Bridge and Parkway’s 4+ rule and here it is: Take the Broadway Southbound Exit, and continue on Broadway over the 225 th St Bridge into Manhattan .

Is the taxi cab rate from JFK to Manhattan $30.00 per person or $30.00 total?
OEM tells me the rate is $30 per person, since taxis will be pickingup multiple fares.

Will the strike affect routes to JFK airport.
There are no restrictions on the Belt Parkway or Van Wyck Expressway, though you may see heavier volume.

During the transit strike is it okay to park in a bus stop?
No. A bus stop remains a “No Standing” regulation, even during the strike.