Height Regulations Now Being Enforced For Kids Free Roosevelt Island Tram Ride By RIOC - Over 44 Inches Means Your Child Must Be Paid For

Image From Roosevelt Island 360

Roosevelt Island 360 reports that the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)/ Public Safety Department:

... has stepped up enforcement of the rule that above 44 inches, children must have their fare paid to enter the Tram. I have not noticed the height tape on the subway or other mass transit conveyances such as the the City buses.

Some of the Tram guys have been gracious, apologetic, others somewhat stern. Granted some kids (really their parents) have gotten away with not paying far longer than they should and I will admit it adds up fast so the "go under" mentality is easy to fall prey to when to do anything you need to leave the island. Thank g-d for the school issued Metro cards once the Fall school term begins.

Apparently the MTA has been having problems with child fare beaters on the subway. According to this July 20, 2011 NY Daily News article:

Some of the subway's littlest riders are its biggest fare-beaters, a new study says.

Kids taller than 44 inches - the height limit for a free ride - made up 43% of fare-beaters observed by NYC Transit surveyors last year, an agency staff report says.

The "predominant mode of evasion is children over 44 inches ducking under turnstiles," the report says.

The surveyors noted that a subway surveillance camera even spotted a young boy enter without paying - and then open an emergency exit gate from the inside so his stroller-pushing mother could also ride free....

Will the MTA follow RIOC's lead and put the 44 inch sign on subway turnstile?