<p>
	Rob Free started as a station cleaner at the Long Island Rail Road and is now its new acting president. Newsday transportation reporter&nbsp;Alfonso Castillo reports.
</p>


Long Island

Transportation

liLIRR231020_video

From station cleaner to new acting LIRR president 

Suffolk

Nassau

Queens

New York City

Port Jefferson Station

Elmont

onecms:c6faab21-1973-4099-815c-02eb34f5b8a1

Newsday

LIRR head: 'This new role, even in the new office, it's very surreal'

onecms_b5738dda-3719-415a-91dc-93a3573866e5_8c4e1682-c05c-45d6-a63c-6e944a41e6ba.jpeg

Most Popular

Latest videos

Transportation video slot

Commuters can now sit on benches on the mezzanine level of the station. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo has more.

'These benches are awesome'

The county has announced improvements, but residents say the efforts are too little, too late.

This intersection in West Babylon has seen 5 fatalities over 2 years

JetBlue Airways launched its inaugural nonstop flight from Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma to Orlando, Florida.

'This is a great day for Long Island'

Police are seeing more road rage incidents with 169 reported in Nassau this year. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'I want to be safe in my car'

Sign up for the NewsdayTV newsletter

Long Island Newsletter Widget

One driver killed in the crash was from Huntington; the other was from Hempstead, police said.

Police ID 2 men killed in wrong-way Meadowbrook Parkway crash 

Transportation Article Bottom Module

The service suspension is being done to allow for track maintenance and switch replacement, the LIRR said.

LIRR to suspend service to Queens, Brooklyn at stations this weekend

Fred and Leah Goldberg were killed when the car they were in veered out of control and hit two others, Suffolk police said.

Melville couple killed in three-vehicle crash

Aaron Cooper pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter for the death of Pablo Rivera, 22, as well as charges of drunken driving and criminal impersonation in the second degree.

Ex-NYPD officer pleads guilty to causing fatal crash

The LIRR retaliated against Anthony Inganamorte for raising concerns about wage theft and unsafe practices, according to court documents.

Judge awards LIRR worker $130G in whistleblower complaint case

Some morning trains were being sent to Penn Station because of signal problems at Grand Central.

LIRR back to normal after morning trains delayed, rerouted

A vehicle being driven by Amaia Rivera's father left Sunrise Highway on Saturday afternoon and struck a tree.

Cops: 6-year-old girl dies in Bohemia crash

Transportation Video Playlist

The view through some LIRR train windows isn't so clear, and it's not because of dirt or grime — it's sun damage. NewsdayTV's Alfonso Castillo reports.

'You can't see' 

Parents are wondering why a former Valley Stream school bus driver accused of raping a student was hired despite a prior sex abuse allegation. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn and Newsday investigative reporter Anastasia Valeeva have the exclusive story.

'They're supposed to be background checked properly'

A new study says Penn Station would need to expand in order to accommodate Amtrak's Gateway Tunnel project, which would build a second tunnel across the Hudson by 2035. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo has the story.

'Where are you going to put those tracks'

A state judge denied a motion to dismiss two lawsuits paving the way for the congestion pricing plan to move forward. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo was in the courtroom.

'A big win for congestion pricing advocates'

MTA leaders announced a two-year improvement project for the LIRR Babylon train station. NewsdayTV's Alfonso Castillo reports. 

'It's time to bring this station into the 21st Century'

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

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'

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'

Homepage Trending

LI Votes 2024: Latest local results

Best of fall on Long Island 

Newsday Marching Band Festival

Newsday's Feed Me Magazine

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

HS football county quarterfinals preview ... FeedMe: Coffee ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

HS football county quarterfinals preview ... FeedMe: Coffee

Transportation - megaslot

MTA and LIRR news, plus the latest on Long Island's traffic, roads & MacArthur Airport

Stay logged in.