This is the FINAL audio podcast episode on the HubTalk Chronicles on the Spotify/Anchor platform. We will be transitioning from Spotify/Anchor to YouTube. The HubTalk Chronicles will still up here on Spotify/Anchor but new episodes will be aired on YouTube with new visual styles and everything. We will also discuss everything that happened in transit and transportation in the first half of 2024.

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In this last podcast episode on this platform, I will explain everything that has happened within the past year or so. I lost my dear friend, Ryan Theorsen Carson this past October due to murder and this month here, I lost my brother due to congestive heart failure. I have to deal with the pain and emotional trauma of losing two people close to me. Some days, I just find it hard to keep on going but I know deep down inside, I just need find the will keep on going. I will always cherish their memories and keep them in my heart forever. I miss both Ryan and my brother dearly and I wish that they were still alive right now. Rest in peace to them both.

Happy (belated) New Year! Welcome to 2024! In this episode, we look back at 2023 in New York City's mass public transportation system and what we can expect in 2024. Listen and enjoy.

All aboard the 2023 NYC Transit year-in-review! Join us for laughs, tales of triumph and woe, as we dissect fare hikes, subway sagas, bus redesigns, funding woes, and peek into 2024's future. It's gonna be a wild ride! #NYCTransitReview

As we all know, the 2023 MTA Fare Hikes are now looming upon us. The tolls for the MTA's nine bridges and tunnels will go into effect on August 6th, while the fare hikes for subways, buses, SIR, LIRR, and Metro-North will go into effect on August 20th. The drivers and straphangers had opinionated views on these hikes and that they should not be raised. How do you feel about the incoming fare and toll hikes? Listen and enjoy.

With fare and toll evasion at an all-time high, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) looks for ways to put an end to this epidemic. They seek help from Blue-Ribbon Panel. We look at reports and statistics from this company on how this can be combated. Please listen to this episode as we read the reports and look at what the MTA looks forward to and what consequences or penalties they have in mind to put an end to fare and toll evasion (or at the very least, stop the bleeding).

Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority looked into new subway platform barriers to keep straphangers away from the tracks.

In this captivating episode, join us as we delve into the exciting news about the massive transformation coming to Broadway Junction. Discover how this historic transportation hub is set to undergo a remarkable revitalization that will not only enhance connectivity but also bring about a host of new opportunities for the community in East New York, Brooklyn. We explore the potential benefits of this revitalization, such as increased job prospects, expanded cultural offerings, and a boost to local businesses. Gain insights into the economic impact and positive ripple effects that Broadway Junction's transformation in East New York.

Whether you're a resident, a commuter, or simply interested in urban development, this episode will provide a comprehensive overview of Broadway Junction's extraordinary metamorphosis. Join us to discover how this transformation promises to become a gateway to new opportunities and a catalyst for positive change. Tune in now to gain unique insights into Broadway Junction's massive transformation and the profound impact it will have on the neighborhood and beyond. Don't miss this informative and thought-provoking episode!

Two Area Congressmen Calls To Strip The MTA Of Funding If Congestion Pricing Goes Into Fruition. Mike Lawyer (R-NY) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) vows to create a legislation on the house floor in Congress, striping the MTA of funding that they were already granted through the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Jobs and Investment Act. This proposed legislation is named the Anti-Congestion Act. It would take away money that the MTA would receive down the line for future projects and instead give it to drivers via a federal tax credit who pays congestion pricing. That will do more harm than good; meaning that this act would make the MTA cut service, raise fares for both straphangers and drivers on the bridges and tunnels. This sham, sad excuse of a bill will barely pass the House, but will not pass the Senate and will be vetoed if that bill reaches the President's desk. 

Also, the wait is finally over. Grand Central Madison will be open for the public tomorrow, with the first train arriving into Grand Central Madison at 11:07 am, followed by the first departure at 11:15 am. Shuttle service will operate between Jamaica and the new terminal within the first couple of weeks, followed by service by all branches.