LIRR president: Fixes will cost up to $20 million

NEW YORK (AP) - The Long Island Rail Road's president says it will cost up to $20 million to reverse growing service problems.

Newsday says Patrick Nowakowski spoke Monday to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's LIRR Committee.  About three-quarters of the money will go toward expanded labor costs. Signal workers will be stationed at key railroad locations around the clock for a quicker response.

The remainder of the cost will go toward contracts for new services and technology, including third-rail heaters and track switch covers.

The railroad also aims to improve communications with customers.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said Thursday that 2017 marked the LIRR's worst on-time performance in 18 years. His office's report said over 9 million riders were inconvenienced by delays and cancellations, costing an estimated $75 million in lost productivity.