A walkout by five unions representing over 3,500 Long Island Rail Road workers shut down America’s busiest commuter line on Monday, leaving more than 270,000 daily riders stranded. The strike, which began Saturday after stalled wage talks with the M.T.A., forced the agency to suspend service into Tuesday morning and replace trains with limited shuttle buses.

Commuters faced two‑ to four‑hour trips, with many opting to work from home. Small businesses near Penn Station reported revenue drops of up to 50 percent; a halal cart vendor said he earned only $300 versus his usual $600‑plus opening day takings. Riders expressed frustration, while some voiced support for the unions’ demand for a higher percentage‑based raise, the first since 2022.

M.T.A. negotiator Gary Dellaverson admitted optimism had faded as talks stalled into the night. Without a deal, the rail line could remain idle for days, pressuring the regional economy and adding political heat to Governor Hochul’s re‑election campaign.