New York transit workers have called an end to a strike that has caused havoc in the US's most populous city at the height of the holiday season.
The three-day stoppage, which may have cost the economy $1 billion (€840 million) ended when the executive of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) voted overwhelmingly to end the strike despite not reaching a new contract.
But commuters still faced a chaotic return home last night. A TWU spokesman said workers would soon be opening 26 subway routes and many local and express bus routes but it would take 10 to 18 hours to resume full operations.
The strike was particularly crippling for the city because of the extra volume of commuters in the week before Christmas and Hanukkah when retailers, restaurants and other service industries would normally be at their busiest.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg welcomed the resolution and said he expected some bus routes and most subways to be back at full service today. "There's still plenty of time for people to shop," he added.
Reaction on the streets was unanimous. "I'm glad that it's over. I didn't think I'd be able to leave the city to go home to Virginia for Christmas with all the hassles," said fashion stylist Christina Turner.
Some 34,000 TWU members walked off the job on Tuesday after contract talks broke down over pay, pensions and health care.
Mediator Richard Curreri said pensions remained a major sticking point but both sides had agreed to negotiate in talks that would be held behind closed doors under a media blackout.