Transit Strike

bearsbabe_113 Posted: Dec 11, 2002 12:32 PM

Transit Strike

Ok, my wonderful neurotic DH just called me up in a huff asking (actually screaming) about the GW bridge during the supposed strike. Does anybody know if the 4 person carpool thing is in effect for those crossing to and from Jersey? I can't believe that it would affect that bridge also, but Joe's boss told him he better figure out a way to get to work and now he's freaking. Mind you, I'm clueless as to how I'm getting here and not for nothing, I'll be da**ed if I have to use my own personal time!!!

Not for nothing, but Mayor DH is a real a$$**** with the comment about sharing cars/cabs w/total strangers and 'not worrying' because there will be cars in front of you, behind you and on either side of you. Oh, ok, if some schmuck pulls out a knife or gun, it's ok because there'll be people surrounding me to help me afterwards. Isn't that nice. What a friggin d***head!!!!

Fran M Posted: Dec 11, 2002 12:37 PM

Re: Transit Strike

Funny you mention it I just sent out a Contigency plan for my office. Take a look at this NYC site. It has a ton of information.

NYC Transit Strike Information & MTA Alternatives

bearsbabe_113 Posted: Dec 11, 2002 12:41 PM

Re: Transit Strike

Thanks Fran! I emailed my company asking about a contingency plan and have been ignored so far -- typical!! I'm going to check it out now!

alina Posted: Dec 11, 2002 12:44 PM

Re: Transit Strike

I belive LIRR and NJ transit will continue to work, no? Isn't it just the city buses and subways not working? The NJ path trains should be working too.

bearsbabe_113 Posted: Dec 11, 2002 12:47 PM

Re: Transit Strike

Yes, Alina, the LIRR and NJ Transit will still run, but I live in Queens and work in Manhattan and am pretty much screwed! My DH works in Jersey and was confused about the carpool issue. If you work in Manhattan took the subway after the LIRR, then you're screwed.

I told my DH that I would rollerblade into work and he turned paler than a ghost!!! I think I should be offended by that!! LOL

alina Posted: Dec 11, 2002 01:04 PM

Re: Transit Strike

bearsbabe_113, sorry. I assumed your were a long island girl.
I am also stranded for now - no way I am walking from Park Slope to Midtown over the brooklyn bridge, but our company emailed us saying that they're making contingency plans, I have no idea what kind, though.

Sonicstef Posted: Dec 11, 2002 01:08 PM

Re: Transit Strike

Hey Alina..where in PS are you?

Im also screwed and NOPE Im not walking!

alina Posted: Dec 11, 2002 01:13 PM

Re: Transit Strike

7th Ave and 9th St, right next to that mediterranean grill place, above the subway station

Leap29 Posted: Dec 11, 2002 01:29 PM

Re: Transit Strike

i will probably work from home....i don't live in the city & i'm not near the LIRR either...
have to many other things to worry about then to stress over getting to work...

hee hee...

michele31 Posted: Dec 11, 2002 01:43 PM

Re: Transit Strike

I will have to work from home. I work near Wall Street and live in Ronkonkoma. The LIRR can get me into the City, but what then.
And my mom always told me NEVER to take rides from strangers! I think that is good advise. I am not going to hitch hike with some strangers and hope I make it to work and back everyday. The mayor is a total moron. But then again so is asking for a 24% raise over 3 years. Most companies have done lay-offs and had pay freezes. Why should these people get a huge raise when the city is broke and a lot of people are out of work.

ss2002 Posted: Dec 11, 2002 01:58 PM

Re: Transit Strike

As far as I know, the Queens 'private' lines will be running (the ones that went on strike last summer). I take Queens Surface to my office downtown. There's also Triboro Coach, Jamaica Bus...and I forgot the other ones.

My driver said that they should be running. They are in the same union as the striking transit workers, so it may get a little nuts if there are picket lines set up and the private line drivers refuse to cross

If these buses don't run, I guess I'll look into the ferries...maybe take one from Shea?

Good luck, ladies. We're gonna need it. Oh, and I agree, Mayor Mike is a ding-dong. I'd like to see him jump into a car full of strangers and get a lift to work!

bearsbabe_113 Posted: Dec 11, 2002 02:27 PM

Re: Transit Strike

Alina, no need to apologize!!! You didn't know where I lived!!!

SS, where do you live and what Queens Surface Bus do you take? I can drive to Astoria and get the Steinway Bus to 1st Ave (if it still goes there, haven't done that in a million years), but that bus runs every once in a blue moon.

I'm not going to flip until Sunday night and if I can't get here, I can't get here. Oh well then. Maybe I'll be able to get some much needed shopping done!!!

Thanks for all your suggestions, but does anybody know if you can cross the GW Bridge from Jersey w/o 4 people in it?????

MaryK Posted: Dec 11, 2002 02:39 PM

Re: Transit Strike

According to the info on the site from Fran's link, there doesn't seem to be any restriction for the GW bridge......I think DH is OK!!

*Edited to say sorry I posted on the Newlywed board, but I was also looking for info on the strike and forgot where I was - thought I was on NWR!!! Can't wait till I'm 'offically' here though!!

shamma Posted: Dec 11, 2002 02:44 PM

Re: Transit Strike

I live in Bklyn and I work on Wall Street can you believe the contingency plan is for my hubby to drop me at the foot of the Bklyn Bridge and I must walk over to work..in the cold none the less. I really hope they don't strike. I think they will not but they will let us feel it, such as go slow, people taking sick days, taking vacation days etc. Sending one train every hour I hope they really come to some kind of agreement

bearsbabe_113 Posted: Dec 11, 2002 03:09 PM

Re: Transit Strike

April, that's what I told DH, but he insists his boss said he can't. Personally, his boss is another a$$, but that's a whole other issue. How can they stop people from going back and forth to Jersey even though you are technically in Manhattan once you cross the bridge? That's totally absurd!

And I really hope they don't strike either, but I didn't think Triboro Coach was going to strike and they did for the whole summer!!! I have no problems walking, but it took me over 3 hours to walk from Times Square to Astoria on 9/11 and, not for nothing but I don't exactly want to be walking for 6 hours each day!!!

But I'm not going to start worrying until Sunday night/Monday morning. I remember the last strike, my mother walked over the 59th St. Bridge every day!!!

jennbaby Posted: Dec 11, 2002 03:22 PM

Re: Transit Strike

i heard there may not be one. the union lowered their demands. not sure if it's true but i am a union worker & we speak to other unions.

MaryK Posted: Dec 11, 2002 03:28 PM

Re: Transit Strike

Darn Deb his boss may be right, according to this picture from that site....

Sonicstef Posted: Dec 11, 2002 03:37 PM

Re: Transit Strike

Do the red lines outside of Manhattan indicate that ONLY HOV is allowed or that there is an HOV lane there?

MaryK Posted: Dec 11, 2002 03:45 PM

Re: Transit Strike

I THINK that HOV means no less than 4 occupants during the strike and that the red is for ROADS and the green is for CROSSINGS (bridges). I'm not 100% sure, but that's how I read it....

I'll keep looking for more info....

*Edited to say that from what I understand HOV means the entire road - not just a lane. The bold red means there will be a lane reserved for emergency vehicles only.