Roosevelt Island Tram Running Single Cabin Next Two Weekends For Electrical and Mechanical Improvements To Cable Suspension - Smoother Ride and More Ways To Hold On Coming Soon

Image From RIOC

Previous post this week reported that the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) will  be running a single Roosevelt Island Tram cabin this weekend and next due to electrical and mechanical improvements being made to the cabin suspension.

A reminder from RIOC:

As a reminder, on Saturday, June 4th - Sunday, June 5th, the Tram will be operating a single cabin only due to electrical improvements to the cabin suspension. During this time, the Tram will provide service every 15 minutes. Normal service will resume on Monday, June 6th at 6 AM.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin adds:

Very excited to announce that we are starting work on the improvements to the Tram residents have asked for and I  have been advocating for on the Operations Committee. People want a smoother ride especially on the towers and RIOC will be testing improved suspension features to provide that. People have also asked for more ways to hold on during the ride and that is coming soon as well.

Mr. Kalkin promised these improvements would soon be coming in an April post and it looks like he was right:

..The other day I had the opportunity to be on the Tram with our VP of Operations Fernando Martinez and RIOC President Leslie Torres. I had mentioned during previous meetings that I had gotten several emails or comments that there were not enough places to hold onto currently. I'm 6 feet tall and the rack on the top was still high over my head. I told Fernando that we should either lower the current poles on the top, add some kind of retractable strap to hold onto that doesn't hit people in the face, add extra vertical poles, or some combination of the three. There may be alternative solutions so I asked that we have an expert look at it again to figure out a fix.

I also have seen, read or experienced myself movement on the Tram while it approaches the towers. The Tram is different from the old Tram in that it uses a fixed cable system and therefore can be used in higher winds because the cables are fixed and don't move. Therefore the Tram cable can't swing on the trip in high winds. It remains fixed. However, when approaching the towers the Tram will center itself which is why you feel that nudge. This is very similar to a speed bump. If the operator moves quickly through it, it is more severe and during high winds, the correction is bigger. I have asked during several operations meetings that we develop a procedure for this during regular operations and high wind situations. If we have to go slower when approaching the tower in order to give a more comfortable ride, I think we should. It just makes sense....

Image of Tram Passengers Holding on to Overhead Bars