NYC Subway Service Alerts: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 – LIRR Strike Spillover Hits Queens Hubs, New 2/3/4/5 Schedules Settle In

What Lines Are Affected

2, 3, 4, 5 lines — Permanent schedule changes in effect (rush-hour trip times shifted)

3 line — Crown Heights–Utica Av to New Lots Av segment was suspended over the weekend; service expected back to normal for Tuesday

R line — Late-night express running through DeKalb Av wrapped Monday 5 a.m.

A/E lines — Running normally to JFK after weekend two-section operation

7 line — Expect heavier-than-normal loads from LIRR strike spillover at Flushing-Main St and the Citi Field park-and-ride

Howard Beach-JFK Airport — Heavy AM rush spillover from LIRR shuttle buses (Bay Shore, Hempstead Lake, Hicksville, Mineola)

Jamaica-179 St & Jamaica Ctr-Parsons/Archer — Heavy AM rush spillover from LIRR shuttle buses (Huntington, Ronkonkoma)

The Big One: Permanent Changes on the 2, 3, 4, 5

Starting Monday, May 18, the MTA rolled out the first phase of its weekday schedule rework on the IRT numbered lines. Trips have been shifted to earlier and later slots in both morning and evening rush hours to better match real ridership patterns. On the 2 line, northbound service gained a trip each at 6, 7, and 8 a.m. and at 5 p.m., while losing one in the 5 and 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. hours. On the 3 line, northbound trips were added at 7 a.m. and 7 and 9 p.m., with the 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. slots trimmed. Southbound 3 trains picked up trips at 5 a.m., 7 a.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. The 4 and 5 lines saw similar pattern shifts. Translation: if you’ve ridden the same train at the same time for a year, double-check your station departure board this week.

LIRR Strike Spillover Hits the Subway

The LIRR strike is now in its fourth day and there is no service systemwide. The MTA is running peak-hour shuttle buses from six Long Island locations to subway transfer points in Queens — primarily Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A train) and Jamaica-179 St / Jamaica Ctr-Parsons/Archer (E, F, J, Z). Expect crowding at those stations from roughly 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Trains will be at or near capacity heading into Manhattan.

The parking lot at Citi Field is open as a park-and-ride for the 7 train, which means heavier loads at Mets-Willets Point and all stops west.

Commuter Tip: If your normal route touches the IRT numbered lines or the Queens transfer hubs (Jamaica, Howard Beach, Flushing), build in an extra 15–20 minutes for Tuesday morning. Tap your OMNY at a less-crowded station upstream if you can — the bottleneck is the transfer point, not the run into Manhattan.

Weekend Hangovers to Watch

Track replacement on the 3 line between Crown Heights-Utica Av and New Lots Av was scheduled to run Saturday 3:30 a.m. through Sunday 10 p.m., supported by free B99 shuttle buses. Service should be restored for Tuesday, but if you ride that segment, give it a few extra minutes in case crews are still wrapping. The R-line late-night express through DeKalb Av wrapped Monday at 5 a.m. and is back to local.

Where to Check Before You Go

For real-time status, the MTA app and mta.info/alerts are the primary sources. Sign up for service alerts on the lines you ride at mta.info/guides/service-alerts. Call 511 if you need assistance, especially for accessible-travel questions during the LIRR strike.