The Long Island Rail Road returned to service on May 19, 2026, after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a labor agreement with its unions, ending a strike that had halted one of the busiest commuter rail systems in the United States. The resumption of service came as a relief to tens of thousands of daily commuters who had been forced to seek alternative transportation during the work stoppage.

The MTA and union representatives finalized the terms of the agreement following negotiations, allowing trains to begin running again on the LIRR's extensive network serving Long Island and New York City. Details of the contract were not immediately disclosed, though both sides indicated the deal addressed the core compensation and working conditions disputes that had triggered the strike.

The LIRR serves approximately 300,000 riders on a typical weekday, making it one of the highest-volume commuter railroads in North America. The strike had prompted significant disruption across the region, with many workers facing lengthy alternative commutes by car, bus, or ferry during the work stoppage.

Transit officials urged passengers to expect some residual delays as full operations were restored and crews returned to their regular schedules. The MTA asked commuters to allow extra travel time as the system ramped back up to normal service levels in the hours following the agreement's announcement.