Just two days after service cuts took effect on the Long Island Rail Road, the MTA announced it will return to its previous schedule later this month. This comes after commuters snapped photos and took videos of overcrowded trains, which showed little to no social distancing. 

"We heard our customers' concerns about our new schedule loud and clear. As a result, we will restore our previous timetable on March 29” said LIRR President Phil Eng in a statement on Tuesday. “In the meantime, we will continue to strategically add additional trains and lengthen trains to meet evolving ridership levels.”

The service reductions were announced by the MTA back in December as a response to ridership being down nearly 75% from pre-pandemic levels. The cuts included reducing midday train frequency on multiple lines, including Babylon, Far Rockaway and Hempstead.

“It certainly didn't work well, there are a lot of reports of overcrowded trains,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during a briefing, where he called on the LIRR to reverse the cuts. "We don't want overcrowded trains, especially during this time of COVID."

“It’s smarter to have fewer people on the train even if it’s not cost effective,” Cuomo added.

After the immediate backlash from riders, politicians, and advocates, the MTA announced it will immediately bring back some of its service. Starting Wednesday, the railroad will increase early morning service to Brooklyn, adding stops at East New York, Nostrand Avenue and Atlantic Terminal. Additional stops will also be added on Long Island. 

MTA officials are counting on the stimulus bill, which is waiting to be signed by President Joe Biden, as well as an increase in ridership due to vaccinations, to allow the agency to avoid further cuts to the LIRR and other operations.