Both Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station Elevators Out Of Service - RIOC To Provide Red Bus Shuttle For Those With Limited Mobility

Reported last Saturday that both the Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station elevator and passenger lift were out of service. As a result the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) ran a Red Bus Shuttle service for mobility limited persons to and from Manhattan during the period of elevator service outage.

Fortunately, the passenger lift was only out of service for a few hours and returned to service later that day.

Unfortunately, it has happened again. Both Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram station elevators are out of service right now.

At 3:22 PM received this advisory from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

The Manhattan Tram Station elevator and lift are temporarily out of service. An advisory will be issued when service is restored.

followed by this at 4:24 PM:

Due to an elevator service outage at the Manhattan Tram Station, the RIOC Red Bus will provide special shuttle service to and from Manhattan for those with limited mobility. Schedule information is below.

ROOSEVELT ISLAND TO MANHATTAN: Departs hourly from the bus stop near 455 Main Street (near Riverwalk Bar and grill) from 5 PM- 11:00 PM. Additional stops are located at 546 Main St. (opposite Good Shepherd Plaza) and opposite 645 Main Street (opposite P.S/I.S. 217).

MANHATTAN TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND: Departs hourly from the southwest corner of 58th St. and 2nd Ave. from 5:30 PM until 11:30 PM. Additional stops are located at 645 Main St. (P.S./I.S. 217), 579 Main St. (M&D Deli), 543 Main St. (Good Shepherd Plaza), 425 Main St. (Riverwalk Bar & Grill), and the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza.　

If the outage continues through 7/21/15 additional advisories with shuttle schedules will be posted. If you have any questions, please call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545. Thank you for your patience.

UPDATE 8:30 PM - Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee (ISC) member and Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Coordinator Eva Bosbach reports on a recent meeting with RIOC about the Manhattan Tram Station elevators. According to Ms. Bosbach:

Last week after a meeting between RIOC and the RIRA Island Services Committee about the conditions of Sportspark we were able to ask RIOCs Director of Transportation Cyril Opperman some questions about the Tram elevators. Here is what we learned:

1. Old elevators:

a) Main Tram elevator (still out of service as of today)

The maintenance company has a 24 hour response in their contract and they do come within the 24 hours and inspect the elevators. However, mostly the problem is after the inspection to find a company that would still produce a replacement for any broken piece(s) as the elevator is very old.

The breakdowns so far have mostly been caused by an accumulation of oil and hydraulic fluid in a cylinder pit underneath the elevator that needs to be pumped out. In the winter, ice accumulated at the door caused it not to open and close properly which could have been corrected and prevented by warmers. Also, brakes of minor parts that - with research and delay involved - could have been ordered from other companies, contributed to elevator service outage.

This last time, however, a major large piece that pushes the entire elevator up broke. (Some of us were expecting this for a few weeks, hearing the "hick-up" noise when coming up). It is unclear if any company can produce that piece. It might need to be ordered custom made with as of now unclear price and time line. Any decisions about that require a review by the new Director of Engineering, see 2.

b) Red lift (out of service now and then, mostly so far for short periods of time)

The red lift works most of the time but is slow and requires Tram personnel to operate it.

- Mr. Opperman will instruct his staff to respond promptly whenever the operation of the red lift is needed.

- When either elevator is out of service, RIOC will post signs on the Island side of the Tram informing residents so that they can modify their travel plans accordingly if needed.

- Should the red lift go out of service and the main elevator not be working yet, causing both units being out of service simultaneously, RIOC will immediately offer Red bus shuttle service to and from Manhattan as a transportation alternative.

2. New elevators

The budget for the replacement of both elevators is approved, the design for the new elevators is completed and the new larger footprint is permitted by the City. The RFP for the construction has not been sent out yet. The new Director of Engineering, John Bost, started with RIOC on July 1st so needs some time to review all projects. The last issued estimated time for a completion was the third quarter of 2016 but we need to await John Bust's estimate about this. We should be in touch again in about three weeks. 

In summary, the elevators' situation is unacceptable to the public. Working elevators are an essential, critical service to many RI residents, especially to the disabled, parents with strollers, bike riders and seniors with walkers. RIOC needs to treat both the old and new elevators as emergencies. The repairs, preventive maintenance, and the new elevators project needs to be given the highest priority.

We are continuing to advocate for this from the Roosevelt Island Residents Association through the Island Services Committee, but any resident can contact RIOC with any issue.

UPDATE 8/21, 8:50 AM - According to this 1:05 AM advisory from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Due to an elevator service outage at the Manhattan Tram Station, the RIOC Red Bus will provide special shuttle service to and from Manhattan for those with limited mobility.

Schedule information is below.

ROOSEVELT ISLAND TO MANHATTAN: Departs hourly from the bus stop near 455 Main Street (near Riverwalk Bar and grill) from 7:00 AM- 11:00 PM. Additional stops are located at 546 Main St. (opposite Good Shepherd Plaza) and opposite 645 Main Street (opposite P.S/I.S. 217).

MANHATTAN TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND: Departs hourly from the southwest corner of 58th St. and 2nd Ave. from 7:30 AM until 11:30 PM. Additional stops are located at 645 Main St. (P.S./I.S. 217), 579 Main St. (M&D Deli), 543 Main St. (Good Shepherd Plaza), 425 Main St. (Riverwalk Bar & Grill), and the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza.　

If the outage continues additional advisories with shuttle schedules will be posted. If you have any questions, please call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545. Thank you for your patience.