The New York City transit workers union executive board said it had voted to end a crippling three day strike by bus and subway drivers.

The vote was 38 to five with two abstentions, a member of the board said, shortly after Transport Workers Union (TWU) leaders agreed to recommend a return to work while talks continue.

"I"m pleased to announce that the local 100 executive board just voted overwhelmingly to direct transit workers to return to work immediately and to resume bus and subway service throughout the five boroughs in New York City," said strike leader Roger Toussaint.

"We thank all riders for their patience and forbearance and we will be providing various details regarding the outcome of this strike in the next several days," he said.

Earlier, television showed subway trains moving again, in a sign the strike that stranded seven million commuters was about to end.

In a press conference soon after the announcement, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he expects bus and subway workers to report to work promptly with some transport services resuming later on Thursday.

"Keep in mind that we have an enormous mass transit system that serves the million riders in the city and it can"t be turned on or off with a flip of the switch," said Bloomberg.

"We would expect buses to be running later this evening, and hopefully most subways in the morning," Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg added that he had "no regrets whatsoever" about his harsh remarks about the "thuggish" union leadership, saying that it was describing their behavior.

For three days, New Yorkers have braved below-freezing temperatures and choked roads as they struggled to work on foot, bicycles, skateboard and other novel means of transport.

City authorities have estimated the strike has cost New York almost one billion dollars, including shops, theatres and restaurants that count on annual Christmas holiday business.