<p>An LIRR electrician and his union are&nbsp;locked in a long-running battle with the LIRR over&nbsp;its drug-testing policy.&nbsp;Newsday transportation reporter&nbsp;Alfonso Castillo has the story.</p>


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Station upgrades, miles of new signals and hundreds of new rail cars are all included in the MTA's latest $68B spending plan. Newsday's Transportation Reporter Alfonso Castillo reports. 

MTA's record $68B spending plan 

Experts say Long Island's infrastructure is unable to withstand severe weather, which is why last month's rainstorms washed away roads in Stony Brook village. Newsday's transportation Reporter Alfonso Castillo reports. 

'It's just overwhelming'

The MTA said it plans to "dramatically increase" spending on new LIRR train cars despite the congestion pricing pause. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo reports.

'Dramatic increase in the fleet of new train cars'

LIRR's post-COVID ridership is outpacing that of all other MTA agencies, with a boost from the new Grand Central Madison. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo has the story.

'Ridership coming back in a big way'

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Thousands of Long Island residents have already pledged to give up driving this Sunday as part of the 12th annual Car Free Day Long Island event. 

Long Islanders urged to avoid being Sunday drivers

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The LIRR stands to get about 9% of the total, with the biggest allocation — about $1.6 billion — going to new rail cars.

MTA's record $68B spending plan focuses on maintenance, though funding uncertain

Thoughtless passengers have long been a staple. But many LIRR regulars believe commuter courtesy is at an all-time low.

Earwax smeared, speakers blasted: Rude LIRR riding on rise, commuters say

All those injured in the Orange County crash are expected to recover, Farmingdale schools Superintendent Paul Defendini has said. One student who was airlifted to Long Island is recovering from spinal and back surgeries, the village's mayor said.

Officials: 7 remain hospitalized after Farmingdale High bus crash; school closing for band director's funeral

In what appears to be the first lawsuit filed over the Farmingdale High School bus crash, the father of a student musician aboard the bus has sued a Nesconset charter company and the bus driver.

Lawsuit filed over Farmingdale High bus crash

The 12-year-old was struck by a bus near an intersection in Oceanside.

Child hit by NICE bus has minor injuries

Traffic between noon and 10 p.m. will be heavy, said County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Drivers should brace for traffic delays ahead of Trump rally

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Say goodbye to license plate covers or face fines up to $500!

New law cracks down on 'ghost plates'

Although the LIRR has been setting on-time performance records, trains are often late at Jamaica station. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo reports.

'We know we can do better'

Jennifer Summers of Brentwood says she was pushed off an LIRR train by an unruly passenger. Summers says the railroad didn't do enough to protect her, but the MTA confirmed a man was arrested in connection with the incident. NewsdayTV's Alfonso Castillo reports.

'I can't even get on the platform now'

AAA Senior Manager of Public Affairs Robert Sinclair Jr. is in the NewsdayTV studio, discussing the travel trends to look forward to this Labor Day weekend. 

'Lots of things important to travel are cheaper this year'

An LIRR electrician and his union are locked in a long-running battle with the LIRR over its drug-testing policy. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo has the story.

The Suffolk County DA will pursue homicide charges against a Centerport woman charged with a wrong-way, drug-impaired crash that killed her 9-year-old son on the Southern State Parkway Thursday. NewsdayTV's Drew Scott reports.

'Most tragic case I've been involved in'

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced there will be a new congestion pricing plan by the end of the year. 

New congestion pricing plan is on the way 

According to New York State Police, a mother was driving the wrong way when she crashed on the Southern State Thursday, which resulted in the death of her 9-year-old son.

Tragedy on the Southern State

Like many in the region, Long Islanders are hesitant to buy electric vehicles. NewsdayTV's Jill Wagner discusses with AAA's Alec Slatky.

'It's cost ... and issues with public charging'

The railroad had planned to have retired its oldest cars years ago, but has been forced to keep them around because of procurement delays. NewsdayTV's Alfonso Castillo reports.

Problems concentrated on oldest cars

PALS SkyHope, started in 2010 and based out of Republic Airport, is a network of volunteer pilots who donate their time, planes and fuel to fly patients to and from medical appointments all over the East Coast. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports. 

'Opened a whole world of possibilities'

Breeze Airways will be adding nonstop flights from Long Island MacArthur Airport to Sarasota, Fla., beginning this November. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Nonstop Breeze Airways flights to Sarasota, Fla. coming in November

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