Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy shares this message she sent to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Chief Financial Officer Dhru Amin:
Dhru and all of RIOC and POMA,
This morning I was heading off the island for a medical visit. After leaving the red bus, I took the steps into the tram station. A second after arriving inside the station (before the turnstiles), I was "sideswiped" by a bike or carriage.
The next second I was flat out on the station floor. Within seconds the tram staff (Darren and his staff) and RIOC PSD were assisting me. I had been on my way to see my surgeon who is performing a hip replacement on my left hip this Thursday.
My point of contact with the concrete platform was my left hip. Being in severe pain and fearing a bad injury I could not be moved. The tram staff brought blankets from their cars, gave me hand warmers and anything they could to relieve lying on a cold concrete platform. PSD re-routed the passengers and kept me updated. After 47 years, I had never had an incident of being rushed by my neighbors eager to get to the tram.
In about 30 minutes EMS arrived and I was taken to NYU Langone ER. I had no fractures and after some heavy pain meds I was released in late afternoon.
I am so glad l live in such a caring community and with great assistance in time of need.
Some residents berate the tourists, though thoughtless islanders running to get on the tram (at 8:30 a.m.) are more dangerous to those not as fast and energetic.
I will be back on the tram soon with a new hip and thanks to all that work there and PSD.
Some Welcome Good News About The Roosevelt Island Tram - RIOC Reports Tram Will Resume Normal 7.5 Minute Rush Hour and 15 Minute Off Peak Schedule For 2 Week Test Period Beginning February 15 - Hopefully Swinging Tram Problem Has Been Solved
A Roosevelt Island resident asked last Thursday, February 27:
Everything is so much easier with the normal Tram Schedule! Do you have any intel on what's going to happen next week?
On Friday, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Communications Director Bryant Daniels:
Any update on the Tram speed test? Is today end of test period? Will it continue:
RIOC announced today:
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:
Following the successful two-week trial period, we are pleased to announce that the enhanced Tram speed—reducing wait times to every 7.5 minutes during rush hour and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours—will remain in effect moving forward.
Over the past two weeks, RIOC, our Tram operator Leitner-Poma, and the New York State Department of Labor closely monitored the system’s performance. The recent improvements, including the installation of swing dampeners, recalibration of cabins, and adjustments to the current communications system, have proven effective in reducing interruptions and minimizing cabin swaying. While a full replacement of the Tram’s communications system is still necessary for long-term reliability, the current enhancements support a safe return to a more efficient schedule.
Passenger comfort and safety remain our top priorities, and we will continue working with our partners to ensure the best possible Tram experience. Thank you for your patience and support as we work toward lasting solutions.
With only a single Tram cabin working this week, we could use some good news today from RIOC about the Roosevelt Island Tram and we have it.
According to RIOC:
Dear Roosevelt Island Community,
Starting Saturday, February 15th, we will begin testing an enhanced Tram speed
designed to reduce the wait time between cabins during both rush hour and
normal off-peak service. This adjusted schedule—returning cabin wait times to
every 7.5 minutes during rush hour and every 15 minutes during off-peak
hours—will be in effect for a two-week trial period, from February 15th
through March 1st.
The decision to reduce the Tram’s speed in October was made in coordination
with our Tram operator, Leitner-Poma, and the New York State Department of
Labor (DOL), with the goal of improving passenger comfort and safety while
Poma addressed issues with the Tram’s communications system. The on-board
communications system has been experiencing persistent interference, which can
occasionally cause the cabins to perform a controlled stop during service,
sometimes leading to significant cabin swaying during mid-air flight.
In response to the issue, Poma has added new swing dampeners to the cabins,
recalibrated them, replaced fiber lines in the communications system, and
swapped out aging components and antennas. These improvements have
significantly reduced both the frequency of communications system
interruptions and the degree of cabin swaying during controlled stops. While
the overall communications system still needs to be replaced to fully resolve
the issue, we believe the recent work justifies the two-week trial period at a
faster speed, in consultation with state regulators.
Attached to this notice is the amended Tram schedule that will take effect
starting February 15th. Throughout this trial, passenger comfort and safety
will remain our top priorities. RIOC, Poma, and the New York State Department
of Labor will closely monitor the two-week trial period and reassess the
Tram’s schedule at the conclusion of the trial. PSD will also continue to
monitor conditions at both the Roosevelt Island and Manhattan Tram stations.
Thank you for your continued patience during this Tram slowdown. We deeply
appreciate your understanding and will continue to advocate for the swift
implementation of a permanent solution.
As Roosevelt Island residents know, I have been a longtime and steadfast advocate for upgrading and modernizing the Tram in discussions with RIOC and stakeholders in the city and state. So I was pleased to learn from the Governor’s office last week that RIOC would now commence this two-week trial period to test speed, communications and passenger comfort enhancements. Whether it’s used to travel to a medical appointment or as daily work commute, the Tram is vital to Roosevelt Island. I remain committed to helping ensure it remains a safe, efficient and comfortable mode of transportation for the community.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced last January 24 that only the North Roosevelt Island Tram cabin will be in service starting tomorrow for the week of February 10 to 14 while the South Cabin is taken out of service for scheduled repairs.
According to the RIOC announcement:
...Travelers should consider utilizing other modes of transportation, including the F-train, Ferry, and Q102 bus for off-island travel. The North cabin will remain in service throughout the entire day during this time, and the POMA team will work to ensure full service is restored as quickly as possible....
Roosevelt Island resident Paul Krikler is encouraging Roosevelt Island residents to contact NY State officials to implement Roosevelt Island Tram cabin priority boarding for Roosevelt Island residents and workers.
We have a terrible transit ten days coming up. We lose one tram Feb 10-14 and we have no F to Manhattan the long weekend directly after.
Email these two people every day whenever you are struggling with transit.
Kathryn Garcia: Director of State Operations & Infrastructure (oversees RIOC and reports directly to Gov Hochul). Some may recall that Garcia came in a close second to Adams in the last Mayoral primary.
RuthAnne Visnauskas: RIOC Board Chair, among other things.
Please:
Tell them you demand that RIOC does something to address this situation rather than saying there is nothing they can do.
Tell them that RIOC even refuses to share their own legal analysis behind their refusal
- Tell them we need their help to get this fixed.
- Copy the RIOC directors on every email.
- Attach pictures / videos of the insane Tram crowding and lines.
- Post your email here and any response you get.
- Get a friend to do the same
Subject Line: Priority Boarding of the Roosevelt Island Tram for Residents and Workers
Our Tram operator, Leitner-POMA, has scheduled upcoming repair work for the Tram’s South cabin, which will require the cabin to be taken out of service for several days. The repair work is scheduled to take place from Monday, February 10th through Friday, February 14th.
This repair work mirrors the work done last February when the North cabin was taken offline to replace a hydraulic tension cylinder at the Manhattan Tram Station. This work is necessary to perform periodically to ensure the Tram continues to run safely and efficiently.
Please be advised that only the North Tram cabin will be in service during this repair period (February 10th–14th). Travelers should consider utilizing other modes of transportation, including the F-train, Ferry, and Q102 bus for off-island travel. The North cabin will remain in service throughout the entire day during this time, and the POMA team will work to ensure full service is restored as quickly as possible.
We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
- Team RIOC
WHAT: South Tram Cabin out of service to replace hydraulic tension cylinder
WHEN: Monday, February 10th through Friday, February 14th
WHERE: Work will take place on the Manhattan side Tram Station.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC), it is illegal to give Roosevelt Island residents and workers
preferential boarding on the Roosevelt Island Tram before sightseeing tourists.
As previously reported, last November, I submitted to RIOC a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request for:
... a copy of the full legal analysis (not the previously released
public statement) that RIOC is relying on for its current position that
resident/worker Tram boarding preference would be illegal. If necessary,
please consider this a FOIL request.
and followed up:
... Also, please include copies of any Franchise Agreement with NYC
that RIOC is relying on to assert that a resident and worker boarding
preference for the Tram is illegal....
On January 8, RIOC provided copies
of the Tram franchise agreements but denied my FOIL request for the legal
analysis. Later that day, I appealed RIOC's denial of my FOIL request for
the legal analysis as well as followed up by asking for:
... any other agreements with any party including the MTA that RIOC is
relying upon to assert that a resident and worker boarding preference for
the Tram is illegal....
On January 27, RIOC denied my appeal for their legal analysis via this
letter.
I replied to RIOC later that day asking:
... Assuming for the sake of argument that the legal analysis is subject to
attorney client privilege, RIOC can waive that privilege and make the
analysis public.
In the spirit of transparency and openness, I am requesting that RIOC waive
any privilege regarding the public release of Tram priority boarding
preference for residents and workers legal opinion and send me a copy of it
so I can publish it for the Roosevelt Island community.
The issue of tram boarding priority preference for residents and workers is
of great concern to the Roosevelt Island community.
Please let me know if RIOC will waive any attorney client privilege on this
matter and make the legal analysis of this very important issue public for
the community to understand. If RIOC declines to waive the privilege, please
explain why RIOC does not want the Roosevelt Island public to see this
information.
RIOC Associate General Counsel Lada Stasko answered today:
Please be advised that RIOC has concluded its review of the referenced matter
and is closing the file. We will not respond to any further correspondence
about this matter.
Thank you for your attention.
Here is the August 28, 2023
RIOC statement
on Priority Service at the Roosevelt Island Tram
Click here to view the Roosevelt Island Tram Franchise agreements with NYC.
I'm still waiting to see if there are any other agreements RIOC is relying
upon for their claim that Roosevelt Island resident and worker priority
preference boarding the Tram is illegal.
Our Tram operator, Leitner-POMA, has scheduled upcoming repair work for the Tram’s South cabin, which will require the cabin to be taken out of service for several days. The repair work is scheduled to take place from Monday, February 10th through Friday, February 14th.
This repair work mirrors the work done last February when the North cabin was taken offline to replace a hydraulic tension cylinder at the Manhattan Tram Station. This work is necessary to perform periodically to ensure the Tram continues to run safely and efficiently.
Please be advised that only the North Tram cabin will be in service during this repair period (February 10th–14th). Travelers should consider utilizing other modes of transportation, including the F-train, Ferry, and Q102 bus for off-island travel. The North cabin will remain in service throughout the entire day during this time, and the POMA team will work to ensure full service is restored as quickly as possible.
We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
- Team RIOC
WHAT: South Tram Cabin out of service to replace hydraulic tension cylinder
WHEN: Monday, February 10th through Friday, February 14th
WHERE: Work will take place on the Manhattan side Tram Station
No mention from RIOC about providing any Tram priority boarding preference for Roosevelt Island residents before sightseeing tourists during this time.
includes an interview with Leitner Poma Roosevelt Island Tram Assistant Manager Darren McCarthy who started working at the Tram in September 2023. According to the RIOC Newsletter interview with Mr McCarthy:
... What are the biggest challenges in operating the world’s most popular aerial tramway?
Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the tramway’s safety and reliability. This includes inspecting and replacing cables, maintaining the tram cars, and ensuring the mechanical and electrical systems are in top condition — we pride ourselves on the reliability of the Tramway. The Tram has the best reliability hands down compared to any other urban transportation in New York City and around
the world. When we do have a disruption of service be it in the air with passengers or on the ground before the Tram leaves the station, we assure passengers the Tram is safe and in fact is the safest form of transportation in NYC.
We also get a lot of questions about Tram maintenance, which POMA performs every day during the midday period. Can you tell
us what that maintenance entails, what the team is checking, and the general importance of this maintenance?
During the week excluding holidays our maintenance begins at 10:30AM and stops at 2:30PM. We take one cabin out of service at a time to perform our daily Preventative Maintenance (PM). Our mechanics performs inspections on the Towers looking for any issues that need to be address immediately. Cleaning and lubricating the
ropes and saddles on all Towers. Safety checks are top priority. Automation and control systems are tested to verify smooth operation, including communication systems between the Tram cabins and stations. Once we are completed with one cabin we switch services to handle passengers to we can
do maintenance on the second cabin. Safety mechanisms, such as emergency brakes and backup systems, are inspected to ensure
they are in optimal condition. The structural integrity of the Tram is also inspected. We follow a very rigorous PM schedule; each shift needs to complete assigned PMs daily.
Finally, what’s the best part about working on Roosevelt Island?
The community. They are very involved with the Tram. I feel very close with the public and RIOC associates. I feel I have a strong connection with transparent cooperation with RIOC. Collectively we want to make the Tram the best experience. Additionally, working with the advanced technology of the tramway is both challenging and rewarding. It’s exciting to
be part of a team that ensures the operation of such a complex system....
UPDATE 1/29 - A Roosevelt Island parent shares this correspondence with RIOC:
Is there anyway to shift the week of tram maintenance by one week? All the kids would be out of school then, and the tram demand would be substantially lower for RI residents.
No school for kids Feb 15-23.
It would make so much difference to RI residents.
RIOC answers:
Thank you for your email and suggestion regarding the upcoming Tram repair work the week of February 10th. We are expecting heavier than normal Tram usage the following week (2/17-2/21), which coincides with the Presidents' Day holiday, and we want to have the cabin repaired and back in service beforehand to account for the increased ridership. We understand that any Tram outage presents a difficult situation for islanders, so we apologize in advance for the inconvenience and will work restore the second cabin to service as quickly as we can.
Have a lovely rest of your day,
The parent replies:
Yes I figured there would be more tourist traffic 2/17 - 2/12, but less RI resident traffic in President’s Week. I was hoping the resident traffic would be higher priority.
... The Community Board has no power to implement such a policy but it's
support may be helpful in persuading RIOC and the Governor to do so....
Well, some progress was made today when NY State Senator
Liz Krueger, who
previously has not been supportive of Roosevelt Island residents and workers
Tram boarding priority, released a statement in support of NYC resident
boarding priority on the Roosevelt Island Tram. According to Ms Kreuger:
The Tram’s popularity during peak tourist season is having a severe impact on
Roosevelt Island residents, causing real hardship on their daily commutes to
work, school, or critical appointments. For this reason, I support the
resolution passed by Community Board 8 requesting NYC residents be given
priority boarding on the Tram.
However, I also understand the complex practical realities that make this
approach challenging to implement, including state Transportation Law,
contracts between RIOC and the MTA, and other franchise agreements with the
City.
I urge RIOC to explore workable options for implementing the resolution and
present their findings to the community. In the meantime, I continue to
press RIOC to increase the speed of the Tram to what it previously was, and
I am pleased that the FCC dedicated signal for the Tram has been approved,
which should expedite this process.
Note that Ms Krueger and Community Board 8 support Roosevelt Island Tram
priority boarding preference for NYC residents, not limited to only
Roosevelt Island residents and workers.
... regarding overcrowding on the Roosevelt Island Tram. I strongly favor
RIOC adopting an action plan that prioritizes access to residents of
Roosevelt Island.
The Tram is essential to the transportation of needs of the community.
There are numerous categories of people who rely on the Tram, including
those with disabilities, senior citizens, workers in all fields, parents
and school-age children. Whether it is used for transportation to a
medical appointment or a place of business, the Tram is a vital mode of
transportation.
While we welcome visitors to enjoy the vibrant life and attractions of
Roosevelt Island, a plan is needed that will result in a reduction of wait
time and an improved schedule that recognizes resident's usage. In the
past, we have successfully advocated for ways to address transportation
issues, including the expansion of RIOC's Red Bus service to ameliorate
sharp service reductions. Similarly, we fought hard to ensure an F train
shuttle during the Direct Track Fixation repairs last year.
Now is the time for RIOC to step up and present an action plan that fully
prioritizes resident use of the Tram.
I have sent a copy of my comments to the RIOC leadership as well....
As a supporter of Roosevelt Island residents and commuters, I value the
importance of ensuring their needs are considered regarding tramway access.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation should ask for further
clarification of existing New York State Transportation laws to determine
the feasibility of prioritizing access to existing public transit.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams supports the idea too:
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is still claiming that any Tram boarding preference for residents is
illegal. Today, in the
RIOC January 2025 newsletter
Interim Leadership report, RIOC continues to claim:
... that while we recognize residents’ efforts advocating for the Tram
priority boarding, the reality is that the Tram is a common carrier and a
form of public transportation subject to state laws and certain inter-agency
agreements....
... a copy of the full legal analysis (not the previously released public
statement) that RIOC is relying on for its current position that
resident/worker Tram boarding preference would be illegal. If necessary,
please consider this a FOIL request.
and followed up:
... Also, please include copies of any Franchise Agreement with NYC that
RIOC is relying on to assert that a resident and worker boarding preference
for the Tram is illegal....
On January 9, 2025, I received this response from RIOC to my FOIL request.
As far as I can tell, there is nothing in the NYC Franchise agreements
provided by RIOC that addresses the legality of Roosevelt Island Tram boarding
priority preference.
After receiving RIOC's response to my FOIL request, later that day I replied to
RIOC:
... Does your response to my FOIL request mean that there are no agreements
other than what you just sent that RIOC is relying upon to assert that a
resident and worker boarding preference for the Tram is illegal?
If there are any other agreements with any party including the MTA that
RIOC is relying upon to assert that a resident and worker boarding
preference for the Tram is illegal, please send me copies and consider my
request an extension of the prior FOIL request.
Also, please consider this an appeal of the decision not to provide RIOC's
full legal analysis for Tram boarding preference....
On January 10, RIOC Associate General Counsel Lada Stasko answered:
Please be advised that RIOC did not enter to any Tramway franchise
agreement with the City other than that was provided to you.
RIOC hereby acknowledges receipt of your appeal below. We will respond to
it pursuant to Public Officer Law (POL) §89(4)(a) within ten (10) business
days of the receipt on January 9, 2025.
RIOC also acknowledges your follow-up FOIL request for additional records.
Please be advised that we need to review the responsive records – which
are inter-agency agreements with MTA - to ensure that they are not exempt
from disclosure under POL §87(2). We will notify you of our progress
within twenty (20) business days.
Thank you for your attention.
On January 13, I suggested:
Can a solution be found that overcomes RIOC's purported legal obstacle for
providing priority Roosevelt Island Tram boarding to those who use the
Tram for essential transportation purposes before those using the Tram as
an amusement sightseeing attraction?
How about this?
RIOC sets up a permitting system to issue an annual Roosevelt Island Fast
Line Pass that is available to everyone, resident, worker or visitor. The
Fast Line Pass must be picked up in person on Roosevelt Island at least 24
hours before it can be used.
The Fast Line Pass allows the holder to board the Tram before a person who
does not have a Fast Line Pass. A person who only rides the Tram as a one
time sightseeing attraction is less likely to obtain the Fast Line Pass
than a regular user of the Tram.
Logistics would need to be figured out for how the Fast Line Pass would
work in practice, but the bottom line is that Roosevelt Island residents,
workers and anyone else who uses the Roosevelt Island Tram for
transportation purposes will have priority boarding over those using it
for one time sightseeing amusement attraction.
Tomorrow the supporters of Roosevelt Island Tram boarding priority
preferences for residents and workers are holding a strategy planning
session. You're invited to share your ideas.
We do not to want to wait while RIOC conducts a search for the new CEO. That
alone could easily take 6-9 months. Presumably, that person will want some
time before taking any big decisions, of which this will be but one of many.
We are not prepared to wait for 12-18 months.
During the January 15, 2025
Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department
(PSD) Community Engagement meeting, a Roosevelt Island resident raised the issue
of dangerous overcrowding on the Roosevelt Island Tram station platforms
as well as areas in front of, behind
and leading to the turnstyles.
Many residents have complained about the unsafe conditions posed by mostly
tourists aggressively pushing and shoving others to get inside the Tram in
order to secure their desired view on the trip over the East River.
The resident asked PSD Chief Kevin Brown to station a PSD officer on the
Roosevelt Island Tram station platforms to insure the safety of riders, many
of whom, including older adults, disabled persons and children, are afraid
to use the Tram now due to the overcrowding.
Chief Brown said that PSD Officers will be placed at the Roosevelt Island
Tram station during the morning rush hours and the Manhattan Tram station
during the evening rush hours.
Chief Brown added that when the Manhattan Station Tram Line extends down the
stairs to the Plaza area, PSD officers will reduce the usual number of
people waiting on the platform from 100 persons capacity to 50.
According to PSD Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso:
...once those 50 get on to the tram, people have to wait minute or two more.
Then we'll send the other 50 up the stairs through and then we'll load the
tram up to its capacity and then it will go across. So it's not that we
lessen the number on the ride it's just lessen the number on the platform to
give people a little bit more space....
Chief Brown added:
... We haven't had a line at the Tram since January 3rd and we're going to
continue to track it. Like I said, it's not an exact science. So what
happens when a line forms? There is usually either an officer or attendant
there so for that first 5 to 10 minutes it may be crowded because it takes
about 10 minutes for me to get three Officers over to the Manhattan
side...
Chief Brown clarified that only when there is a line down the Tram station
stairs will the platform capacity be reduced from 100 to 50.
Chief Brown and Deputy Amoroso both emphasized that the Tram is not a Ride.
Watch video of the full discussion.
The Manhattan Community Board 8 voted last night to approve a resolution supporting Roosevelt Island Tram boarding priority for NYC residents. The Community Board has no power to implement such a policy but it's support may be helpful in persuading RIOC and the Governor to do so.
As reported many times
over the last several years, there is no issue which has decreased the quality
of life and angered more Roosevelt Island residents than the long lines,
overcrowding and unsafe platforms conditions caused by tourists using the
Roosevelt Island Tram as a sightseeing amusement attraction to view the NYC
East River waterfront and skyline.
However, according to an
opinion drafted
by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) legal department, a residents/workers Tram boarding preference would be
illegal.
Can a solution be found that overcomes RIOC's purported legal obstacle for
providing priority Roosevelt Island Tram boarding to those who use the Tram
for essential transportation purposes before those using the Tram as an
amusement sightseeing attraction?
How about this?
RIOC sets up a permitting system to issue an annual Roosevelt Island Fast Line
Pass that is available to everyone, resident, worker or visitor. The Fast Line
Pass must be picked up in person on Roosevelt Island at least 24 hours before
it can be used.
The Fast Line Pass allows the holder to board the Tram before a person who
does not have a Fast Line Pass. A person who only rides the Tram as a one time
sightseeing attraction is less likely to obtain the Fast Line Pass than a
regular user of the Tram.
Logistics would need to be figured out for how the Fast Line Pass would work
in practice, but the bottom line is that Roosevelt Island residents, workers
and anyone else who uses the Roosevelt Island Tram for transportation purposes
will have priority boarding over those using it for one time sightseeing
amusement attraction.
NYC Mayor Eric Adam, former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Assembly Member
Rebecca Seawright and NYC Council Member Julie Menin have all expressed support for providing some sort of Roosevelt Island Tram boarding preference for
residents and workers.
Selfie-obsessed tourists have taken over the Roosevelt Island tram —
creating a massive headache for locals who are being forced to wait in lines
stacked with as many as 250 people.
The tram between Manhattan and the smaller iconic island has long been a
tourist destination, but it took off in popularity this summer when it was
blasted on various “top attractions in New York City” lists and across
social media....
2370 people have signed the Trampled By Tourists, Priority Boarding for
Residents and Workers on the
Roosevelt Island Tram petition.
A group of Roosevelt Island residents spoke during the December 19 Roosevelt
Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors meeting Public Session advocating for residents/workers
boarding preference on the Roosevelt Island Tram
Elected representatives
including Mayor Adams, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and City Council
Member Julie Menin have expressed support for some type of
preference
for residents and workers on the Roosevelt Island Tram.
Roosevelt Island Tram line of sightseeing tourists stretched from the platform, down the stairs, to 59th Street Second Avenue Tram Plaza and heading towards third avenue this afternoon.
Another day Roosevelt Island residents and workers are furious that they can't use the Tram for necessary transportation services because it is being used as a cheap sightseeing amusement attraction by tourists.
A resident commented on Roosevelt Islander Instagram post:
This situation has become completely unmanageable. At this point, a clear solution would be to designate the Southside Tram and Southside staircase exclusively for tourists, while reserving the Northside Tram and Northside (exit) staircase for residents and staff.
Additionally, installing a bike rack down the middle of the platform and turnstile area would help organize the space more effectively. Clear, official signage labeled “TOURISTS” and “RESIDENTS/STAFF” is essential to streamline the flow of people and reduce congestion.
It’s time to implement practical solutions to address this ongoing issue.
Some type of separate priority line for residents and workers who use the Tram for transportation purposes rather than as a sightseeing attraction has to be implemented soon.
UPDATE 12/30 - Another day of insanely long line of tourists at the Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station.
I interviewed several groups of tourists getting off the Tram at the Manhattan station. All understood the frustration of residents and workers. These tourists said they would be willing to wait longer on a separate line so residents and workers could have priority to board the Tram Cabin.
A Tipster shares photo taken this afternoon of the crazy Roosevelt Island Tram
line stretching from the platform, down the stairs, across Second Avenue Tram Plaza
and reports
I feel terrible for RI residents. It must be frustrating. I get upset when
I’m rushing home, and I miss my train, and the next one is coming in a few
minutes. I can’t even imagine waiting to get home in that line!
Long lines of sightseeing tourists have made life miserable for Roosevelt
Island residents and workers getting to and from Roosevelt Island.
Here's what the Roosevelt Island Tram lines full of sightseeing
tourists
2321 people have signed the Trampled By Tourists, Priority Boarding for Residents and Workers on the Roosevelt Island Tram petition.
A group of Roosevelt Island residents spoke during the December 19 Roosevelt
Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors meeting Public Session advocating
for residents/workers boarding preference on the Roosevelt Island Tram
Elected representatives including Mayor Adams, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and City Council Member Julie Menin have expressed support for some type of preference for residents and workers on the Roosevelt Island Tram.
According to a Tipster when the Tram doors opened:
... there was a small stampede, and a woman screamed. I’ve never seen it this bad in my life. When the doors of the Tram opened, it was like a buffalo stampede
Another resident reports:
I was passing by the Tram line on the way to the train because the line was too long, and someone in line literally said thay should sell FastTrack tickets online for the Tram like they do at Disney.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
