Both Roosevelt Island Trams are operating at full capacity after a recent period of the North Tram cabin running on a reduced or 50 percent passenger weight-load capacity, RIOC said Monday.
On August 31, the North Tram gearbox began to produce intermittent noises, which were localized to the intermediate gear inside of the box. Out of concern of the potential risk of damage to the equipment, the component was removed from service.
Each Tram operates using two motors and two gearboxes; if one is removed, operators must also remove about 50 percent of the load, RIOC said.
Because the Tram was designed with multiple redundancies, engineers from Leitner-Pomo – the operations company that RIOC contracts to run the Tram – were able to remove this gearbox and continue to operate using the remaining motor/gearbox combination at the reduced capacity.
The gearbox is manufactured by Kissling AG, a Swedish company; and a decision was made to bring in the engineering experts from the manufacturer to handle the repair. A Kissling crew traveled to Roosevelt Island from Bachenbülach, Switzerland, inspected and determined the location of the noise to be coming from a keyway on the intermediate gear shaft. That part was replaced by a shaft from the spare gearbox, which Leitner-Pomo had here on location. The spare gearbox is now slated to be rebuilt.
The Tram returned to full-load service last Monday, September 17.
RIOC apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks Island residents, RI workers, students and visitors that ride the Tram regularly for their patience.
Regularly-scheduled service and inspection work on the Roosevelt Island Tram will reduce commuter service to ONLY one cabin from Monday, Feb. 26 to Saturday, March 3.
To assist with overcrowding during this period, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation will operate a Red Bus shuttle during the afternoon peak commuter period from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The shuttle will depart hourly from the Roosevelt Island Tram Station, starting at 3 p.m. and arrive at the southwest side of Second Avenue between 58th and 59th streets. It will return every half-hour on the hour with the last trip being at 8:30 p.m.
There will be no shuttle bus service on Saturday, March 3.
.. from last July 24 - December 17 the Roosevelt Island Tram operated a single cabin during the Tram Station Repair Project resulting in very long lines and frustrated residents...
and:
... Tram Platform repairs are still scheduled for Spring and will require a single cabin operating for 3 weeks.
Plan accordingly.
How is your commute home to Roosevelt Island with your only 1 Cabin running? Line Stretches beyond turnstiles tonight. Will last thru winter pic.twitter.com/2zoQvl8TNH
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 26, 2017
Regularly scheduled maintenance on the Roosevelt Island Tram will reduce commuter service to one aerial cabin during a six-day period starting Monday, February 26.
Service and inspection work will render one car offline for three days and then the work will switch to the second car through Saturday, March 3. To assist with overcrowding during this period, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation will operate a Red Bus shuttle during the afternoon/evening peak period, every 30 minutes to and from the Island to Manhattan.
The shuttle will leave Roosevelt Island – from the Tram Station plaza - to Manhattan at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The shuttle will leave Manhattan – from the Southwest side of Second Avenue between 58th and 59th streets - for Roosevelt Island at 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
There will be no Tram shuttle service on Saturday, March 3.
As we all recall, from last July 24 - December 17 the Roosevelt Island Tram operated a single cabin during the Tram Station Repair Project resulting in very long lines and frustrated residents.
How is your commute home to Roosevelt Island with your only 1 Cabin running? Line Stretches beyond turnstiles tonight. Will last thru winter pic.twitter.com/2zoQvl8TNH
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 26, 2017
Both Tram cabins have been operating since December 18 to the relief of Roosevelt Island residents. But RIOC announced last December that Tram Station repair work remained to be completed:
... Both tram cars will remain in operation until the spring. RIOC anticipates that only one tram will be in operation for a period of three weeks to complete the renovations during that period....
Earlier today, I asked RIOC Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson:
In December, RIOC announced that the Tram Station Repair Project will require a single cabin to operate for 3 weeks this Spring.
Is the February 26 week Tram maintenance work described in advisory below separate from the work on Tram Platform?
Will there still be Single Tram Cabin operation for 3 weeks in Spring as previously planned?
Can work be combined so all done at same time?
Mr. Robertson answered that the projects are separate and that the continuation of the Tram Platform Repair project is weather dependent - cannot be done in cold weather.
Mr. Robertson added that the Tram Platform repairs are still scheduled for Spring and will require a single cabin operating for 3 weeks.
How is your commute home to Roosevelt Island with your only 1 Cabin running? Line Stretches beyond turnstiles tonight. Will last thru winter pic.twitter.com/2zoQvl8TNH
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 26, 2017
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee Meeting of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, July 24, 2017 at 5:30 P.M. at the RIOC Administrative Office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
Agenda:
Review of Open Projects
Discussion of Fourth of July Family Fireworks Celebration
Discussion of Relocation of A Living Library Site
Update on Island Transportation
Discussion of Project Management
Any Other Committee Business that may be Brought Before the Committee.
***
The Open Meetings Law of the State of New York requires that all public bodies conduct meetings, convened for the purpose of officially conducting public business, in a manner open to attendance by the general public to observe and listen.
... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! When its hot can you PLEASE have the tram operators leave the doors open when docked? We really need the cross ventilation. Some operators do this - and say it's common sense. Others refuse. PLEASE make it a policy! Thank you....
And:
... tram still has no cooling controls, nor do the tram stations, which now with the new imprisoning glass sarcophagus cook waiting passengers in the noon day sun....
And:
A-C, pleas!!
or fan at least...
Anything!
I would not ride the tram in this weather it is to dam HOT
During September 8, 2015 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee meeting (full audio here), RIOC Director Margie Smith asked if it was possible for air conditioning to be installed in Roosevelt Island Tram cabins. Ms. Smith noted
... It's really, really hot and stuffy in that thing...
Ms.Smith said there was new, smaller sized air conditioning equipment that might work for the Tram.
RIOC Director Michael Shinozaki explained that the problem in the past with air conditioning on the Tram is the additional power required and increased weight which could reduce carrying capacity of the cabins.
RIOC President Charlene Indelicato replied that Tram air conditioning would be looked into.
Mr. Shinozaki elaborated on the physics of Roosevelt Island Tram air conditioning. Here's the discussion.
Maybe Roosevelt Island Tram air conditioning for next summer?
On Tuesday night I was watching the debut of Late Night With Stephen Colbert. The opening credits came on with scenes from NYC when all of a sudden I was stunned to see the Roosevelt Island Tram passing over the East River
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Notification issued 9/8/14 at 5:01 PM. Due to a mechanical problem the North Tram cabin will be operating at 50% load capacity. An advisory will be sent out when service is fully restored. Thank you for your patience during this necessary work.
Sincerely,
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group
I've asked RIOC for additional information. Will update when more is known.
UPDATE 8:55 PM - Roosevelt Island Tram Manager Armando Cordova explains what happened:
We have a problem with the North Tram VFD No. 2
This afternoon one of the VFD precharging resistor burnt out.
The North cabin is currently running with one motor on reduce load. This feature is one of the redundancies we can take advantage of with the new tram system.
Parts are being sent overnight and we are expecting to resume normal service by tomorrow.
UPDATE 9/9 2:40 PM - According to RIOC:
Following a previous disruption in normal service, normal Tram service to and from Roosevelt Island has resumed.
will be conducting a comprehensive safety inspection of the Tram starting tomorrow, July 28. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
As a reminder, the Roosevelt Island Tramway will be undergoing a comprehensive safety inspection from Monday, July 28th until Friday, August 8th. Leitner-POMA has issued the following service change:
Monday, July 28th to Friday, August 1st
Service every 15 minutes from each station from 6 AM- 2 AM.
Saturday, August 2nd & Sunday, August 3rd
Service will be provided with both cabins every 7.5 minutes from 7 AM to 10 PM.
Monday, August 4th to Friday, August 8th
Service every 15 minutes from each station from 6 AM- 2 AM.
Saturday, August 9th
Tram service will resume with both cabins at 6 AM.
For more information, please call 212-832-4559.
Thank you for your patience during this necessary work.
Sincerely,
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group
Leitner - Poma explains the reason for the safety inspection.
LEITNER‐POMA OF AMERICA, INC.
2014 ‐ ROOSEVELT ISLAND AERIAL TRAMWAY INSPECTION
Arial transportation systems require systematic inspection routines. Roosevelt Island Arial Tramway is a state of the art ropeway transportation system used for mass transportation in an urban environment. It is subject to New York State licensing and inspection process. In addition the tramways manufacture requires multiple layered inspection routines. Inspections and testing are done on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to assure safe and reliable service. A staff of approximately 25 members is employed using New York City based individuals. This staff is charged with the responsibilities of daily operation and maintenance. Most of the inspections and testing are accomplished by them.
However, higher level inspections and testing are performed to assure the design and engineering integrity are maintained. These inspections are performed by engineers, factory personnel and the local staff. These tests are complex and require longer periods of time than allowed during the normal shutdown.
The tram schedule during the inspection will be as follows;
Monday. July 28th. To Friday August 1st.... Tram service will be provided with one single cabin.
Saturday. August 2nd. And Sunday. August 3rd... The tram will resume service with both cabins.
Monday. August 4th. To Friday. August 8th... Tram service will be provided with one single cabin.
Saturday. August 9th. 06:00 AM... The tram will resume service with both cabins.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Leitner‐ Poma of America
Roosevelt Island Aerial Tramway – Operators.
6 sqft has a brief history of the Roosevelt Island Tram:
... In the early 1970s, under the direction of the urban planner and visionary Edward J. Logue, the NYS Urban Development Corporation (UDC) created a model for a high-density, mixed-income urban community for the development of Roosevelt Island, necessitating a more efficient mode of transportation. In 1971 with the trolley tracks beyond repair, and the 63rd Street subway far from completion, the UDC hired Lev Zetlin Associates (LZA) to identify and design the future connection to the island. Award-winning structural engineer James O’Kon led the LZA team through a feasibility and design study, examining three alternate modes of transit including a ferry, elevator from the bridge and an air tram. The tram was selected with the intent for it to serve as a temporary solution for commuters while the 63rd Street subway was still under construction. However, as the completion schedule for the new subway line was continually pushed back, the air tramway’s popularity grew and it was later converted into a permanent facility....
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
Leitner-Poma, operator of the Roosevelt Island Tramway, has advised that both Tram cabins will be undergoing a comprehensive safety inspection from Monday, July 28th until Friday, August 8th. During this time, one Tram cabin will be operational and will provide service every 7.5 minutes alternately from each station from 6 AM - 2 AM.
Thank you for your patience during this necessary work.
Sincerely,
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group
Expect a crowded Tram Cabin, particularly on the weekend if there is no F Train service in one direction.
UPDATE 7/24 - RIOC adds:
Leitner-Poma, operator of the Roosevelt Island Tramway, has advised that both Tram cabins will be undergoing a comprehensive safety inspection from Monday, July 28th until Friday, August 8th. During the inspection, the Tram schedule will be as follows:
Monday, July 28th to Friday, August 1st
Tram service will be provided with one cabin providing service every 7.5 minutes alternately from each station from 6 AM- 2 AM.
Saturday, August 2nd & Sunday, August 3rd
The tram will resume service with both cabins. During this time, rush hour service will be provided every 7.5 minutes from 7 AM to 10 PM.
Monday, August 4th to Friday, August 8th
Tram service will be provided with one cabin providing service every 7.5 minutes alternately from each station from 6 AM- 2 AM.
Saturday, August 9th, 06:00 AM The tram will resume service with both cabins.
For more information, please call 212-832-4559.
Thank you for your patience during this necessary work.
Sincerely,
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group
and Leitner - Poma explains the reason for the safety inspection.
LEITNER‐POMA OF AMERICA, INC.
2014 ‐ ROOSEVELT ISLAND AERIAL TRAMWAY INSPECTION
Arial transportation systems require systematic inspection routines. Roosevelt Island Arial Tramway is a state of the art ropeway transportation system used for mass transportation in an urban environment. It is subject to New York State licensing and inspection process. In addition the tramways manufacture requires multiple layered inspection routines. Inspections and testing are done on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to assure safe and reliable service. A staff of approximately 25 members is employed using New York City based individuals. This staff is charged with the responsibilities of daily operation and maintenance. Most of the inspections and testing are accomplished by them.
However, higher level inspections and testing are performed to assure the design and engineering integrity are maintained. These inspections are performed by engineers, factory personnel and the local staff. These tests are complex and require longer periods of time than allowed during the normal shutdown.
The tram schedule during the inspection will be as follows;
Monday. July 28th. To Friday August 1st.... Tram service will be provided with one single cabin.
Saturday. August 2nd. And Sunday. August 3rd... The tram will resume service with both cabins.
Monday. August 4th. To Friday. August 8th... Tram service will be provided with one single cabin.
Saturday. August 9th. 06:00 AM... The tram will resume service with both cabins.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Leitner‐ Poma of America
F Coney Island-bound trains run via the M from Roosevelt Av to 47-50 Sts
Weekend, 10 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, Jul 20 - 23
No Coney Island-bound service at 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington Av/63 St and 57 St.
During the June 25 RIOC Operations Committee meeting (audio webcast of full meeting is here), the RIOC Directors complained to the staff about problems with huge crowds waiting for the Tram caused when only one Tram Cabin is in operation during weekend F Train Subway service disruptions.
Let's see if RIOC and Tram operator POMA are prepared this weekend to operate both cabins when the Tram gets crowded.
UPDATE 7/21 - A Roosevelt Island resident reports from the Tram Station earlier this morning:
The tram station is so packed that I had to wait for the next tram due to overcrowding. I am now running late for work and very irritated; all as the other tram car sits idly behind me. I don't get the point of having two trams if only one will be in use. When are we going to get some better management for this thing???
A Roosevelt Island resident reports on crowded tram this morning at about 9:15:
The tram was packed, and they were only running one cabin even though the subway is out - what is the point of having 2 cabins if you won’t run them in these circumstances? Also, a woman fainted or collapsed while the tram was in motion. There was a loud thud. The tram operator was very good in handling it.
I was on the Tram at about 2 PM and both cabins were running though it was still crowded.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez announced that safety straps will soon be in place on the Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin holding bars. Soon arrived on Saturday as the Safety Straps were installed and being used by Tram Passengers.
Another issue involving the Tram was asked by this reader recently:
I just realized last week that the Tram does not have A/C because we were sweating buckets. Do you know why they did not decide to add A/C to the new Tram? Was it just a matter of cost?
I replied:
I think it was a function of cost as well as the limited time of the trip - approximately 4 minutes
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Director (or perhaps former Director?) Jonathan Kalkin answers the reader's question:
Really has to do with weight and the amount of passengers we would have to lose each trip. The new tram with an AC unit would have held less people and the battery to charge the AC wouldn't have enough time to charge at the station. However, I noticed that they haven't opened up all the windows when I was on it. All windows should be open which should really cool it down. I took pictures, sent it to Ops, and they are talking with the Tram team to make sure they open all the windows.
How often do any of the other RIOC Directors ever answer resident questions like Mr. Kalkin does on a regular basis? Just another reason to keep Mr. Kalkin on the RIOC Board.
Also, have you noticed any change in the Tram shaking when it nears the Towers on it's trip over the East River? I certainly have noticed much improvement recently after RIOC made mechanical and electrical improvements to the Cable suspension.
UPDATE 11:55 AM - Mr. Kalkin adds:
Very happy to see the Tram straps and stabilization systems starting to work that I ordered to have studied and fought for on the Operations Committee . Many residents including myself had noticed these issues and I thought the best way to highlight them was to have RIOC President Leslie Torres and Fernando Martinez RIOC VP of Ops ride with me on the Tram awhile back to see it firsthand. Additional poles were discussed as well however that is probably something that has to examined more closely to see if these improvements are the only possible or sufficient ones. It is great to see ideas from the people of this Island translate into real action.
Received the following message from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Please be advised that on Saturday, June 4th - Sunday, June 5th, the Tram will be operating a single cabin only due to electrical improvements to the cabin suspension. During this time, the Tram will provide service every 15 minutes. Normal service will resume on Monday, June 6th at 6 AM.
In addition, On Saturday, June 11th- Sunday, June 12th, the Tram will be undergoing mechanical improvements to the cabin suspension. During this time, the Tram will provide service every 15 minutes. Normal service will resume on Monday, June 13th at 6 AM.
Red Bus service will operate on its normal weekend schedule.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have on your commute and thank you for your patience during these service changes.
Sincerely,
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group
Plan on crowded Tram Cabins for the next two weekends.
Image of Tram Workers Fixing Communications System
Reported earlier this week on Roosevelt Island Tram service interruptions. The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) provides the following explanation:
There were two separate and unrelated events which occurred this week resulting in an interruption in Tram service.
On Monday, May 23rd at approximately 3:48 PM, the North Cabin lost communication with its WIFI antenna causing the cabin to pause between towers 2 and 3. The WIFI antenna is a wireless communication link that Tram operators use to send and receive information from the control room to the cabins. The connectors to the WIFI antenna, located on top of tower 3, became loose due to occasional vibration of the towers caused by high winds from the recent severe weather. The issue was resolved by 6:48 PM and rush hour service was resumed.
The second event occurred on the morning of Tuesday, May 24th at 7:38 AM. The South Cabin experienced problems with the Entrance Sensor on the Manhattan side station. The Entrance Sensor pinpoints the cabins location as it enters and departs from each Tram Plaza station and guides the Tram staff to operate the cabin at the appropriate speed for safe docking. A faulty wire connection to the Entrance Sensor caused the circuit breaker to trip in the electrical panel. The problem was addressed and service was resumed at 10:00 AM.
It is important for our Tram personnel to take the necessary precautions to remedy any issue related to the Tram and its service in order to ensure the safety of our passengers and proper operation of the Tram.
Image of Tram Workers Fixing Communications System
Feel like we're @universalstudios the Roosevelt island tram stopped and now serious swaying, where's spider man? We're looking at you Julie!
Just before 5 PM, I went to the Roosevelt Island Tram Station and saw the North Cabin dangling over the East River,
barely moving and thought, Oh no, hope those people are not stuck up there for hours.
I watched the North Cabin Tram cables hardly moving
as the Tram slowly inched it's way across the East River.
Finally, docking at the Tram Station 20 minutes after I arrived.
Expecting to see shaken and distraught passengers getting off the Tram, I was surprised to find out that there were no passengers on the Tram but a couple of Tram employees were all that remained in the Cabin.
What happened to the Roosevelt Island Tram riders? Were they swallowed up by some mysterious Roosevelt Island Tram version of the Bermuda Triangle?
I was told that on this trip, the Tram workers were returning the out of service North Cabin without passengers to the Roosevelt Island Tram Station to fix a communications problem
between the cabin and the Station Operations Center.
I asked RIOC VP of Operations Fernando Martinez what was the problem with the North Tram Cabin. Mr. Martinez replied:
We are currently assessing what happened with the North cabin. We will get back to you once we have a report from the operator.
The date for the return of the Roosevelt Island Tram is getting closer and closer. As reported last week, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez informed a gathering of Southtown residents that construction is nearly complete and the last remaining item to accomplish before the Tram can resume service is obtaining approval from the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) whose inspectors will be on Roosevelt Island this week performing safety certification inspections. Mr. Martinez believes that subject to the DOL's safety certification, Roosevelt Island Tram service will resume by the end of November.
Take a look at the picture above taken yesterday by Roosevelt Island photographer Duc Le and figure out what is now different about the new Tram Cabins?
Yep, that's right - the lettering is now on the Tram Cabin doors and it says ROOSEVELT ISLAND - not, thankfully, RIOC. The Tram lettering work began last Friday afternoon
and was finished later that evening. Mr. Le reported:
Tonight, I took this shot of the tram just seconds after the construction crew finished placing the lettering. Another step closer to launch, hopefully!
Even though there were no Roosevelt Island residents riding the Tram as passengers yesterday on NYC Marathon Sunday, the Tram was still making test rides over the East River during the race and watching over the runners.
Though there were no passengers on the trams, the cabins were rehearsing their simultaneous dance steps all afternoon, gracefully gliding over the route in First Avenue. They did more than 26.2 miles back and forth today.
A first! New feature of the Roosevelt Island Tram. Two moving in the same direction. Cool!
Finally, Roosevelt Island photographer Tatiana Muzica took this picture of the Marathon Runners making their way on Central Park South towards the finish line.
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.
