The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it may have to cut Long Island Railroad service by 50 percent in order to deal with a projected $12 billion budget deficit.
MTA Chairman Patrick Foye calls the measures “draconian,” but said they are needed to help deal with the deficit.
Service on the busiest branches would be reduced to hourly, other branches would run every 90 minutes, and low ridership branches would be eliminated completely.
Foye also said fares would go up by 10 percent, and hundreds of union workers would be laid off. New York City subway and bus service would be cut by 40 percent.
Foye testified earlier this week before a state legislative committee and said there are no good options without federal aid.
