Update On Roosevelt Island Tram Overhaul Project - Work Begins On South Cabin, New Passenger Entry/Exit For North Cabin & No Tram Station Elevator Service For Next 3 Weeks Says RIOC - Will Be Hardship For Elderly, Disabled And Stroller Users

The Roosevelt Island Tram Overhaul project switched work from the North Cabin to the South Cabin and will be operating only the single North Cabin.

There will be new Tram pedestrian entry/exit at both Manhattan

and Roosevelt Island Tram Station.

Also, no Manhattan Station Elevator Service at all for the next 3 weeks which will be a big hardship for Roosevelt Island elderly, disabled and parents with strollers.

According to  the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised that beginning Tuesday, March 5th, there will be new pedestrian entry and exit patterns for both the Roosevelt Island and Manhattan Tram stations. Please continue to follow the directional signage to board and exit the Tram. Due to these required changes, the elevator at the Manhattan Tram station will be out of service for the next 3 weeks. A separate advisory will be sent when the station elevator is accessible.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety officers will be on hand to assist riders.

What are my travel alternatives?

Red Bus Shuttle service will be available to and from the Manhattan Tram Station every weekday from 3 PM to 8:30 PM, beginning from the R.I. Tram Station.

Red Bus Shuttle pick-up locations:

Manhattan: Southwest corner of 58th St. and 2nd Ave.

Roosevelt Island: Tram Station Plaza

MTA subway F line (mta.info) and the NYC Ferry service (ferry.nyc) are available to and from Manhattan.

Q102 bus service is also an option to connect to Midtown Manhattan-bound trains at Queensboro Plaza.

During the February 21 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting, RIOC Director Michael Shinozaki asked:

... Is there going to be a situation where the elevator is not going to be available?...

RIOC Director David Kraut added:

... I can't use the stairs, what are you going to do for me?

RIOC Tram Overhaul Project Manager Prince Shah answered that there would be times when the elevator is not available but that the Red Bus Route to Manhattan Station would be available as an option

RIOC President Susan Rosenthal replied:

... we're looking into option of emergency situation where there would be a stop of work in order to operate the elevator...

It' s not clear what will be considered an emergency situation to operate the Tram Elevator.

There will be Tram fare collection at the one station where the MTA turnstiles are used.

Today, the ride on North Cabin from from Roosevelt Island was free but fare was collected at Manhattan Station.

More info on the Roosevelt Island Tram Overhaul project

at this prior post.

UPDATE - 3/4 - Lines this morning

at Roosevelt Island Tram Station.