Larchmont Commuters: Prepare for NYC Transit Strike!

Check Back for Regular Updates on Transit Information

by Ned Benton

(Updated December 12, 2002 ) New York City and the entire metropolitan area is bracing for a possible strike by city transit workers that is threatening to shut down subway and bus service starting on Monday, December 16.

"I've already informed everyone I work with that any meetings will be telephonic as long as the strike is on," said financial consultant and long-time Larchmont commuter Mark Fichtel. "I feel sorry for anyone who has to go to the city," he added.

As a service to our commuting readers, the Larchmont Gazette will be updating this article to provide the latest news on transportation for Larchmont commuters. Westchester County is also providing updates on its website: see: Transit Strike. As of Thursday evening, December 12, the following information is available:

• Metro-North Railroad: Service will continue during any strike, and riders should anticipate that use of the railroad may be higher than usual. Some train cars may be diverted to shuttle commuters to and from Grand Central Station and Yankee Stadium's "park and ride." Expect crowded trains.
  
  
• Restricted Routes: Private vehicles with fewer than four passengers will be prohibited from entering or leaving Manhattan 24 hours a day on weekdays. On weekends, this restriction will apply to vehicles with fewer than two passengers. According to Jordan Barowitz, spokesman for NYC Mayor Bloomberg, the Police Department will be at bridge and tunnel crossings to enforce the restrictions. Click here for more information about route restrictions, including Maps of the affected routes.
  
  
• Carpooling: For Larchmont drivers, spokesman Barowitz stressed, "We encourage people to make plans with their colleagues and friends to carpool. That's the best plan." In addition, there are plans for major carpool staging areas throughout the city.
  
  To service Westchester commuters, there will be five "Park and Ride" lots where drivers will be able to find carpool mates. The closest lot is in New Rochelle at Glen Island Park (Shore Road at Weyman Ave) Another is at Rye Playland.
  
  
• Express Buses: Westchester County's website offers the following information on express buses, but reminds commuters that there are a limited number of buses:
  
  Westchester Bee-Line’s BxM4C running along Central Ave to mid-town and Wall Street. (914) 813-7777
  
  Liberty Lines Express leaving Getty Square, Yonkers to mid-town. (718) 652-8400. Liberty advises customers "to travel "off peak" when possible and allow extra travel time due to expected overcrowding and heavy traffic/gridlock conditions."
  
  New York Bus Service leaving various Bronx locations to mid-town, east and west side. (718) 994-5500
  
  
• Video of Major Routes: At DOT RealTime Traffic Cameras you can check the traffic for yourself. Major routes typically used by Westchester commuters are at ATIS for the Bronx.

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