LIRR scaling back service again due to decreased ridership amid pandemic

News 12 Long Island has learned that service on the Long Island Rail Road will be scaled back once again starting next month.
The MTA says starting March 8, the LIRR will cut the number of trains it runs, bringing weekday service closer to weekend service.
Railroad officials say despite things opening up since the start of the pandemic, the LIRR is still hurting for ridership.
Trains will run on hourly schedules during the middle of the day on the Ronkonkoma, Hempstead, Far Rockaway, Port Washington and Long Beach branches. They will run every half hour on the Babylon and Huntington lines.
No jobs will be cut, but LIRR officials say they stand to save almost $15.5 million, including overtime costs.