Initial Findings Show Long Island Rail Road Switch Fire Cost $2M

Long Island Rail Road officials say 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.