No Roosevelt Island Tram Station Elevator For Parents With Strollers, Elderly, Wheelchair Users Again Today - Cold Weather Does Not Help, Waiting For Part On Order And Money For New Elevator In Upcoming Budget Say RIOC

Here we go again.

 Image of Roosevelt Island Tram Station Elevator Out Of Service Today

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised that the Manhattan Tram Station elevator is currently out of service. An advisory will be sent out when it is returned to service.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

A RI Long-Timer sent the following message to RIOC President Charlene Indelicato in response to the latest Tram Station elevator breakdown:

As if there was not enough on everyone's plate -- this is incredibly serious for wheelchair-users, folks using walkers, canes and other assistive devices as well as folks with health impairments or who are able-bodied elderly. Many of these folks depend on both elevators and cannot use the subway for various reason -- and are once again totally transportation challenged.

The increasing frequency of this main elevator breaking down every few days -- and the fact that when all the other improvements to the Tram and Manhattan Tram Station were being made that NO MONEY was found anywhere to replace the 30+ year old elevator -- should make this a priority for RIOC to address.

This weekend there will be no Queens-bound F train -- and our Manhattan Tram Station will be the primary means of transport for folks of all ages and abilities -- will there be elevator services ?

Will RIOC consider running a red bus from Manhattan to RI as we have done on other occasions in the past ?

It is not the best solution, but its winter, and some folks might appreciate RIOC doing something extra when there is no F train in one direction -- particularly Queens-bound.

Thank you in advance for any consideration you and the Board can have on this subject. It is only Wednesday - the elevator might get its patchwork fix for now -- but what about Saturday and Sunday?

I will leave the stroller-people and shopping-cart-pushers to another advocate to express their concerns.

I asked Ms. Indelicato earlier today:

Any comment on the tram elevator situation?

When will the frequent breakdowns be fixed and/or new elevator installed?

Ms. Indelicato replied:

The elevator mechanics have been working on the elevator since 1:30pm. The lift is out of order awaiting a part on order. The extreme cold has not helped the situation. We hope to have the elevator working again shortly.

There is money in this years capital budget for the elevators. We are reviewing the RFP for a design build elevator project and also for a new elevator maintenance project.

We understand that this has been difficult for many of our residents and again hoping that we will have the immediate problem resolved ASAP.