LIRR crews have to manually lock train switches into place following a damaging fire. (credit: CBS 2)
NEW YORK (AP) — Long Island Rail Road officials said a switch system fire that caused a week of delays last month has cost the transit agency about $2 million.
Newsday reports that the LIRR will release the details at a meeting this week. Preliminary findings show the railroad spent about $1.1 million in overtime for workers, replacement parts and buses used to transport stranded passengers.
Another $872,000 in potential fare revenue was lost when people had to abandon the crippled rails for other forms of transportation.
The Aug. 23 fire triggered a week of problems at the Jamaica transit hub.
The blaze was likely caused by a short circuit in old wiring. An official cause is still being determined.
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