It's the Brian Laras show on WNYC. Good morning, everyone. We're going to start today on mass transit,

all aboard for a ride with our transportation reporter, Stephen Nesson. Why are we taking this trip today?

Because the transit news is piling up again, and we know it's the lifeblood of our region,

and so many of you depend on it.

And you like talking about mass transit.

We know from your calls and texts and everything.

One development, Governor Hockel in her budget proposal released this week has a crackdown on fair beating.

It's escalating fines for multiple fair beating offenses, but also incentives for those fair beaters like Omni cards for some of those who commit second offenses,

and half-price fairfares cards for those who qualify.

The MTA estimated in 2022 that it was losing $700 million a year from fare and toll evasion.

They're also putting in a new kind of gate at subway stations designed to make fair evasion harder.

We'll take your early experiences with that, if you've had any.

And New Jersey, you're in the fair evasion deterrence game, too.

We'll hear about Stephen's recent reporting on a novel approach to beating the fair beaters on the path trains.

Also, Governor Hoke will announced support in principle for extending the

2nd Avenue subway to also run crosstown on 125th Street from 2nd Avenue all the way west to

Broadway. And then there's the summer shutdown plan for stretches of the lowly G train. Will the

improvements on the much maligned Brooklyn Queens line

be worth a disruption? And is there any other way? So to talk about these stories, and maybe more,

is WNNYC and Gothamist Transportation Reporter Stephen Nesson, known affectionately on X by his handle,

just your friendly neighborhood transit reporter.

Hi, Stephen.

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