Power & Politics: The path ahead – Q&A with new LIRR President Rob Free

Rob Free, the president of the Long Island Rail Road is a Long Islander who has worked for the LIRR for more than 30 years.

Free began his career as a station cleaner 31 years ago. He worked his way up the ranks – serving as chief transportation officer and senior vice president of operations before he was chosen to lead the railroad.

Free's tenure begins as the LIRR just broke a record – Gov. Hochul says the railroad carried more than 260,000 on Tuesday. That's the highest for a single weekday since the pandemic.

It also coincides with a Grand Central Madison record – on the same day, 41% of riders traveled there. That's the highest split with Penn Station since the terminal opened last year.

There are significant concerns about the railroad's finances, safety, affordability, access and management as pointed out by the more than 50 questions News 12 received from viewers.

Free joined Rich Barrabi on this edition of Power & Politics.