A report from the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) inspector general says some senior LIRR engineers have abused the payroll system.

The base pay for an engineer is about $64,000 a year. However, through penalty payments 77 engineers have been able to double or triple their salary in 2004. Senator Michael Balboni (R-East Williston) says the work rule penalties that allow the pay increase would kick in for doing something such as moving a train from one position to another in a yard or by switching a dual-mode train from electric to diesel.

The LIRR says the penalty payments maintain safety and on-time performance.

Related Link: Inspector general's report on the MTA