Original:  Mayor Bloomberg estimated the cost of the strike at US $400 million per day. This morning the Mayor crossed the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan, alongside his fellow commuters-turned-pedestrians. But the bitter wind coming from the East River only doubled the frigid mood of the already freezing New Yorkers: TWU members were picketing on the Brooklyn entrance to the bridge. Contingency Plans The MTA The Metropolitan Transportation Authority The strike contingency page on the MTA website mirrored Kalikow's statement to the press: "The TWU announced it would conduct an illegal strike on MTA NYCT buses & subways throughout all five boroughs as well as on most MTA Bus Company routes. This is in addition to a strike action called at 12:01 Monday, December 19, 2005 by the TWU against two private bus lines in Queens: Triboro Coach & Jamaica Buses." In his press conference Kalikow said "The TWU's action today is illegal and irresponsible. This blatant violation of the Taylor Law... it is a slap in the face to all MTA customers and all New Yorkers." Although contingency plans had been in ready since Friday, some aspects have not materialized. 1010 WINS has reported that LIRR service for the Shea Stadium park-n-ride will not be in service until 09:00 because the equipment needed to run on the strike contingency schedule has not been put in place. The LIRR will be making additional stops in Queens on the Main Line, as well as operating shuttle trains between Jamaica and Penn Sta. and in Brooklyn between Jamaica and Flatbush Ave.. Riders going to or coming from Flushing, which is normally served by the 7 train, can take the LIRR to Flushing/Main St. on the Port Washington branch. An NYPD officer keeps order at an entrance to Penn Station All riders are advised that several entrances to Penn Station have been designated for ticketed passengers only and are specific to the passenger's servicing branch. Non-ticketed passengers should enter Penn Sat. through the 7th Avenue entrance. The MTA assures its customers that all contingency service will be in place no later than the Wednesday morning rush, and that any holders of 7-day, 30-day, and Unlimited MetroCards will have their expiration dates extended for as many days as the strike lasts. The City New York City Hall At 05:00 NYPD put roadblocks into action along 96th St., south of which only high-occupancy vehicles carrying at least four passengers ("HOV-4") may enter. John Montone reported that even commercial vehicles are subject to the HOV-4, including taxis. This lead to some early-hour contingency "confusion and kvetching". Taxis are allowed to pick up multiple fares. The city has reserved the following streets for emergency vehicles only, weekdays from 05:00 to 20:00 : 5th Ave. and Madison Ave. between East 23rd St. and East 96th St., 26th, 29th, 49th, and 50th streets from river to river, and Church St. and Trinity Pl. south of Barclay St. A detailed list of restrictions, closures, and lane reversals can be found on the NYC.gov website. The Port Authority The PATH is reported to be operating normally, which is shuttling riders from 34th Street/Herald Sq. to the Wold Trade Center, and all stations in-between. AirTrain is also in operation, which serves Jamaica Sta. and JFK airport. An unconfirmed report from one commuter suggested that taxis from the airport are still honoring the airport's "Anywhere in New York" flat fare. The TLC The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has set up a system of flat fare zones and maximum prices for taxis, livery, and vans. Livery cab drivers announced that they would operate service along striking bus routes in order to fill in the service gap, and cabbies are allowed to pick up multiple fares for the duration of the strike. NY1 has reported instances of price gouging, leaving New Yorkers in the difficult position of deciding whether to sacrifice $ 50 or schlepp in the bitter cold.
Revised:  Mayor Bloomberg estimated the cost of the strike at US $400 million per day. This morning the Mayor crossed the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan, alongside his fellow commuters-turned-pedestrians. But the bitter wind coming from the East River only doubled the frigid mood of the already freezing New Yorkers: TWU members were picketing on the Brooklyn entrance to the bridge. Contingency Plans The MTA The Metropolitan Transportation Authority The strike contingency page on the MTA website mirrored Kalikow's statement to the press: "The TWU announced it would conduct an illegal strike on MTA NYCT buses & subways throughout all five boroughs as well as on most MTA Bus Company routes. This is in addition to a strike action called at 12:01 Monday, December 19, 2005 by the TWU against two private bus lines in Queens: Triboro Coach & Jamaica Buses." In his press conference Kalikow said "The TWU's action today is illegal and irresponsible. This blatant violation of the ... it is a slap in the face to all MTA customers and all New Yorkers." Although contingency plans had been in ready since Friday, some aspects have not materialized. has reported that service for the park-n-ride will not be in service until 09:00 because the equipment needed to run on the strike contingency schedule has not been put in place. The LIRR will be making additional stops in Queens on the Main Line, as well as operating shuttle trains between and and in Brooklyn between Jamaica and . Riders going to or coming from , which is normally served by the train, can take the LIRR to Flushing/Main St. on the branch. An NYPD officer keeps order at an entrance to Penn Station All riders are advised that several entrances to Penn Station have been designated for ticketed passengers only and are specific to the passenger's servicing branch. Non-ticketed passengers should enter Penn Sat. through the 7th Avenue entrance. The MTA assures its customers that all contingency service will be in place no later than the Wednesday morning rush, and that any holders of 7-day, 30-day, and Unlimited will have their expiration dates extended for as many days as the strike lasts. The City New York City Hall At 05:00 put roadblocks into action along 96th St., south of which only high-occupancy vehicles carrying at least four passengers ("-4") may enter. reported that even commercial vehicles are subject to the HOV-4, including taxis. This lead to some early-hour contingency "confusion and kvetching". Taxis are allowed to pick up multiple fares. The city has reserved the following streets for emergency vehicles only, weekdays from 05:00 to 20:00 : 5th Ave. and Madison Ave. between East 23rd St. and East 96th St., 26th, 29th, 49th, and 50th streets from river to river, and Church St. and Trinity Pl. south of Barclay St. A detailed list of restrictions, closures, and lane reversals can be found on the NYC.gov website. The Port Authority The is reported to be operating normally, which is shuttling riders from 34th Street/Herald Sq. to the Wold Trade Center, and all stations in-between. is also in operation, which serves Jamaica Sta. and airport. An unconfirmed report from one commuter suggested that taxis from the airport are still honoring the airport's "Anywhere in New York" flat fare. The TLC The (TLC) has set up a system of flat fare zones and maximum prices for taxis, livery, and vans. Livery cab drivers announced that they would operate service along striking bus routes in order to fill in the service gap, and cabbies are allowed to pick up multiple fares for the duration of the strike. has reported instances of price gouging, leaving New Yorkers in the difficult position of deciding whether to sacrifice $ 50 or schlepp in the bitter cold.
Edit intent: meaning-changed