A deal halted the Long Island Rail Road strike that began May 16, but full service won't resume until Tuesday afternoon. President Rob Free said hourly trains will start at noon on four key branches, with complete service by 4 p.m. The timing allows fans to reach Madison Square Garden for the Knicks' playoff game, a major event disrupted by the walkout.

More than 270,000 daily riders faced major disruptions during the three-day shutdown. The M.T.A. ran free shuttle buses covering 13,000 passengers at a cost of about $550,000 per day, though fewer than 2,200 used them by Monday. Officials still urged telecommuting where possible to ease congestion during the phased restart.

Monthly ticket holders qualify for prorated refunds for the strike days, pending board approval. The strike, caused by failed contract negotiations, highlighted the railroad's critical role in the regional economy and the massive logistical challenge of restarting the nation's busiest commuter rail line after a sudden work stoppage.