<p>The MTA changed its policy after several reports in Newsday&nbsp;showing fare beaters increasingly taking advantage of the system. Newsday&#39;s transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo has the story.</p>


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Fewer free rides: LIRR IOUs fall 43% but remain rarely paid

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A Connecticut state lawmaker cited environmental concerns — and whether Long Islanders would want a cross-Sound bridge — proposals for which date back to at least 1938.

Bridge would go from Bridgeport to Kings Park.

Long Islanders are bracing for higher prices at the pump and elsewhere, following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'I'm worried'

Montgomery County, Md., adopted "Vision Zero" to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries. NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland reports on what Long Island can learn from it.

'That work is paying off'

New York State, responding to a Trump administration directive, is pausing a program that allows non-citizens to obtain commercial driver's licenses. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo explains.

'That could absolutely cause a shortage'

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If not resolved, the dispute could result in the first LIRR labor strike in more than 30 years.

Mediation board side with LIRR unions in contract dispute with MTA

LIRR bans alcohol on St. Patrick's Day

Passengers will be offered seats on the emergency flights at no charge but are asked to register on the El Al website.

El Al offering flights to NY to help evacuate stranded Americans during war with Iran

Multiple cancellations were reported on the Babylon, Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma lines due to a downed tree.

LIRR service restored after morning disruptions

The rough winter created large, and dangerous, hazards for Long Island drivers.

The potholes that ate Long Island

At least six e-bike riders were killed on Long Island in 2025 and one pedestrian struck by an e-bike died.

Nassau ban on certain e-bikes surprises experts

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With the LIRR closing many of the ticket loopholes that invited fare evasion, the last resort for those looking for a free ride is hiding in the bathroom. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso A. Castillo has the story.

'You get a little suspicious'

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland and Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo talk to commuters and experts about what a revamped Jamaica station would mean.

What you need to know about Gov. Hochul's proposed $50M Jamaica station redesign

Long Island Rail Road data showed more trains ran on-time and ridership was at its highest since 2019. Newsday Transportation Reporter Alfonso Castillo has more.

The LIRR carried nearly 82 million passengers in 2025

LIRR riders say there are several key improvements they'd like to see at a reimagined Jamaica station. NewsdayTV's Alfonso Castillo reports.

'People would appreciate it'

Long Islanders pay nearly $4,000 per year on their vehicles because of dangerous and failing roads, according to a report from the national transportation research nonprofit group, TRIP. AAA Northeast's Robert Sinclair explains.

'There are a lot of factors that are working against us'

The MTA spent nearly $1.5 billion dollars in overtime costs in 2025. Newsday Transportation Reporter Alfonso Castillo has more.

MTA sets new record with $1.5B in overtime spending

The North Amityville fire department responded to a crash on the Southern State on Sunday morning.

Fire department responds to crash on Southern State

Crashes where speed was a factor killed or seriously injured 418 people on Long Island in 2024, up from 254 in 2019. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It's out there. It's persistent'

LIRR commuters must now activate their mobile tickets before they board the train, or they could be hit with a surcharge. NewsdayTV's Alfonso Castillo reports.

'Activate your ticket when you're supposed to, before boarding the train'

Newsday reporters spent this year examining the risks on Long Island's roads, where traffic crashes over a decade killed more than 2,100 people and seriously injured more than 16,000. This documentary is a result of that newsroom-wide effort.

'Success is zero deaths on the roadway'

Commuters are expressing frustration over a new MTA policy that imposes an $8 surcharge for activating mobile tickets after boarding. Newsday's Alfonso Castillo reports.

Last-minute ticket surcharge irks LIRR riders

Traffic fatalities in Nassau County rose from 67 to 78 from 2024-25, according to data from Newsday's fatality tracker. Newsday investigative reporter Peter Gill explains.

'We drive more than the average New Yorker'

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NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano tried some homemade Irish scones at Mary's Irish Shop in Long Beach.

Get a taste of Ireland at Mary’s Irish Shop

With Hempstead a focal point for ICE raids, many local business owners are barely staying afloat. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger, Doug Geed and Newsday reporter Bart Jones have the story.

Hempstead village businesses suffering amid ICE raids

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us back in time to a family-run luncheonette that is bringing back some old time favorites.

Out East: Take a trip back in time to Sip'n Soda

The Hofstra men's basketball team returned home to cheering fans after securing a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Hofstra men’s basketball team heading to the NCAA tournament 

NewsdayTV Ken Buffa's grabs his buzz saw and heads to Bullfrogs Woodworks to check out the new tools that go into modern woodworking.

LI Works: Ken goes against the grain at Bullfrogs Woodworks

Bay Shore homeowner is left with thousands in debt after hiring an unlicensed contractor. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Tips to avoid home improvement scams 

Newsday food writer Marie Elena Martinez visits Rocco's Tacos in Huntington Station to learn about their all-you-can-eat tacos deal.

Tacos and more all-you-can-eat deals on LI

The region's waterways were a common means of escape from slavery, in addition to land-based networks of the Underground Railroad.

Enslaved people used LI waterways as pathway to freedom

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits Find Your Balanced Life, a women-only gym in East Northport.

It's a gym for women, built by a woman

The 36th annual flower and garden show at Hicks Nurseries in Westbury has something for everyone. NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano reports.

Check out the annual flower and garden show at Hicks Nurseries

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

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Taste of Ireland: Mary's Irish Shop ... Out East: Sip'n Soda ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

Taste of Ireland: Mary's Irish Shop ... Out East: Sip'n Soda

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Drivers going to the airport until Thursday should expect road closures and traffic issues because of construction.

Road closures, traffic delays at Kennedy Airport

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

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