June 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal month for commuters rolling in from Long Island and New Jersey. The Long Island Rail Road has fully recovered from last month’s strike. NJ Transit has just reset its system-wide schedule. And within two weeks, summer shore service kicks in. Here’s the full picture.

Long Island Rail Road: Strike Is History, Service Is Back

The three-day LIRR strike that shut down the railroad May 16–19 is over. The MTA and LIRR unions reached a tentative agreement on May 19, and full service across all branches was restored in time for the afternoon rush. The four-year contract includes annual wage increases and a $3,000 lump-sum payment for workers. May monthly ticket holders are due a prorated refund for the four business days service was suspended — the MTA Board approved it May 20.

Normal LIRR service is in effect for June. If you haven’t ridden since the strike, check TrainTime for the current schedule. The Penn Station / Grand Central Terminal split remains in place — roughly half of LIRR trains terminate at Grand Central, which may be faster if you work on the East Side.

NJ Transit: New System-Wide Schedule Now in Effect

NJ Transit rolled out a system-wide rail schedule change effective Sunday, May 31, touching nearly every line: the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, Morris & Essex Lines, Main/Bergen County Line, Montclair-Boonton Line, Pascack Valley Line, Raritan Valley Line, and the Princeton Dinky.

Individual train numbers, departure minutes, and connection windows have all shifted. If you’re a creature of habit who catches the same train every morning, check your departure time before heading to the platform this week. Use the NJ Transit mobile app or visit njtransit.com for the updated schedule for your line.

Summer Shore Service Starts June 13

Mark June 13 on your calendar. NJ Transit is adding weekend express service on the North Jersey Coast Line starting that date, with new trains from Hoboken Terminal.

Key additions on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays:

• Train 7227 departing New York Penn Station at 9:01 a.m. on Saturdays, stopping at Newark Penn and Long Branch only — an express shot to the shore.
• Train 7262 departing Long Branch at 7:43 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, stopping at Newark Penn and New York Penn — your ride home after a full beach day.
• Three additional express trains in each direction from Hoboken Terminal, with connecting Bay Head-Long Branch shuttles.

World Cup Rail: $98 Round-Trip to MetLife Stadium

FIFA World Cup matches begin June 13 at MetLife Stadium. NJ Transit reduced its special World Cup round-trip ticket to $98 (down from an initial $150), with the cost offset by advertising sponsors including DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, and DraftKings.

Key details:

• Purchase in advance through the NJ Transit mobile app only — not at ticket windows or vending machines.
• Limited to 40,000 tickets per matchday.
• NYC residents (all five boroughs) must use Penn Station New York for stadium travel on match days.

Eight matches run June 13 through July 19. Visit njtworldcup.com for details.

New Rail Cars on the Way

NJ Transit received the first of 374 new Multilevel III rail cars in April 2026. Built by Alstom in Plattsburgh, NY, the cars replace aging Arrow III and Comet equipment. Up to 40 cars are expected to enter passenger service later this year — with USB charging, new information screens, and ten times better mechanical reliability than the equipment they replace.

Metro-North: No Major Disruptions

Metro-North is operating normally this week on the Hudson, Harlem, New Haven, Port Jervis, and Pascack Valley lines. No major planned service changes are in effect.

Commuter Tip: NJ Transit’s new system-wide schedule is live as of May 31. Don’t assume your usual train still leaves at the same time — check the updated schedule on the app before your first ride this week. Departure times, train numbers, and stop patterns have changed across multiple lines.

For full schedules: NJ Transit | LIRR | Metro-North

Also see: Monday Commuter Rail Preview: NJ Transit’s System-Wide Schedule Reset Is Now Live