RIOC negligence is a recurring theme here, but the latest in sleepwalking may take the cake. It has Roosevelt Islanders scratching their heads… How detached from reality on the ground can they be?
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
RIOC Negligence and the Partial Tram Shutdown
While we scrambled to put together the best guide for dealing with Tram reductions in service, our readers called out RIOC negligence. We missed it until the emails unsettled a Sunday dedicated to lazy footwall watching. The state agency that never gets it wrong outdid us on lazy, or maybe, it’s just indifference or asleep at the wheel…
Although RIOC repeated, to the same audience, a slapdash advisory about the shutdown, they never stretched beyond their email list. That covers only a tiny fraction of residents. For all the others, nothing. No kiosk postings. No Red Bus notices. And most tellingly, not a word at either Tram Plaza, even though Leitner-Poma put up fences – without instructions – on Roosevelt Island.
We asked around. Maybe we missed something.
“Has anyone seen any notice about the Tram shutdown or shuttle service, other than in the flakey advisory?” we asked.
“Nothing,” said one well-traveled Roosevelt Islander.
A “Very Disappointed Long-Timer” was less generous:
“Sorry, no. Nothing about anything anywhere. Nothing on Red Buses. Nothing on / in Bus Stops. Nothing on kiosks. These folks AGAIN deserve public shaming for failing the community — especially the folks for whom the Tram is their primary means of travel.”
For some, the true, penetrating question is, How long will Albany force us to put up with this mess? We pay for most of it but get this RIOC negligence in return.
If you’re anywhere near Blackwell House, knock on the door. Ask whoever answers to wake up president/CEO Shelton J Haynes from his Rip Van Winkle length slumber. It’s a lot to ask, but maybe he can get his well-paid, 4-member Communications Team to, well… you know, communicate.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
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- Far Rockaway House Fire and Shooting Leaves Two DeadA Far Rockaway house fire and shooting left two dead and shocked the community as police and firefighters responded to the tragic scene. Read how the events unfolded and what comes next.
- Chain-Snatching Spree in Queens Prompts Precinct Coordination and Simple Safety StepsA chain-snatching spree in Queens has sparked coordinated police action and renewed conversations about neighborhood safety. Learn what steps you can take.
- 140 Rentals Proposed for Mixed-Use Building at 50-01 Queens BoulevardA 13-story mixed-use development is planned for 50-01 Queens Boulevard in Woodside, featuring ground-floor retail and 140 rental units, with a portion reserved as affordable housing. Learn about the proposal, affordable housing details, and the next steps for this evolving Queens neighborhood.
- Sgt. Angel Rampersad’s legacy and Ozone Park’s vigilSgt. Angel Rampersad’s legacy touches Ozone Park, Queens, and Roosevelt Island as neighbors reflect after the Ozone Park vigil. Community honors and conversations continue amid grief.
Old RIOC, New Lawyer
President Jones has become better at saying RIOC cares.
