LIRR Interim President Steps Down, Will Focus On Her Metro North Role

LONG ISLAND, NY — Long Island Rail Road interim president Cathy Rinaldi announced Monday she is stepping down.

The LIRR senior vice president of operations, Robert Free, has been named acting president.

Rinaldi exits amid a chorus of calls for the MTA to have a permanent leader for the commuter line.

Rinaldi, who will remain as the Metro North president, made the announcement at the MTA board Roairoad Committee. She highlighted her resume for the LIRR since she took on the role in Feb. 2022, including helming completion of the Third Track in Nassau County, opening Grand Central Madison and new technology for ticket purchases.

"With these important accomplishments under our belt, it's a good time to begin the process of my transitioning out of my role as interim president of Long Island Rail Road," Rinaldi said.

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (D-Valley Stream) said in the statement: "It is crucial that we now focus on the long-term stability and success of Long Island. I strongly urge the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to initiate a thorough and diligent search for a permanent president of the Long Island Rail Road."

MTA Board Member Samuel Chu at Monday's meeting: "Certainly, Long Island Rail Road should have its own president. That was always the plan to return to that, but we had extraordinary circumstances that necessitated someone with your knowledge and capacity coming into this role."