Lifestyle

68,000 Long Island Rail Road Riders Qualify for Refunds. Most Won’t Need to Do Anything.

By Mike Harper · May 23, 2026

The Long Island Rail Road strike disrupted three days of service for tens of thousands of commuters. The MTA board has now approved a $2.4 million refund plan — and for most riders who used the TrainTime app, the money comes back automatically.

About 68,000 riders qualify for refunds under the plan approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, which covers monthly ticketholders whose service was affected during the three-day disruption. The refunds are proportional to the days of service missed.

If you use the TrainTime app: You are in the automatic group. At least 80% of monthly ticket holders who purchased through the TrainTime app will receive their refund automatically, without needing to submit any paperwork or contact the MTA. Automatic refunds are expected to be processed by June 30, 2026. You do not need to call, email, or visit a ticket window.

If you don’t use the TrainTime app: You will need to submit additional information online to claim your refund. The MTA has not yet specified the exact portal or form, but it will be accessible through the MTA’s website at mta.info. Check that page in the coming days for the specific submission process and deadline.

Who qualifies: Riders who held May monthly tickets for LIRR service during the disruption period. If you purchased a monthly pass and were unable to use your normal service during the three strike-affected days, you are included.

The refund plan was approved at this week’s MTA board meeting. MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan described the approval as straightforward: the authority takes service disruptions seriously and riders who paid for service they didn’t receive are entitled to compensation.

If you have questions about your specific eligibility or the status of your refund after July 1, contact MTA customer service at 511 or through the MTA website.