As we reported back in November, State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright stepped in after RIOC and contractor Leitner-POMA left a yawning gap of information, flavored with misinformation, about the Tram. While RIOC has not disclosed any information about Tram issues, we now know that the Department of Labor found some and is now working with RIOC on resolving them.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
UPDATE, February 27th: Following AM Seawright’s intervention on behalf of Roosevelt islanders, back in October, the state Department of Labor continues working with RIOC and Tram operator Leitner-POMA. A number of improvements have followed. Yesterday, RIOC Communications Director Bryant Daniels said this in an email:
“During this past weekend, in addition to the hydraulic cylinder replacement work performed on the Manhattan side station, POMA also installed the new swing dampeners on both the North and South Cabins. You can see the new blue dampeners on the outside of both ends of the cabin (pictured below). Safety is always our first priority, and these sway dampeners are a necessary and important safety feature. They should also make the passenger experience a more pleasant one.”
“This work was the result of the New York State Department of Labor’s inquiry into the tram swaying incidents at the request of Assembly Member Seawright. As we continue to work with POMA to understand the root cause of the swaying incidents, these new dampeners should help reduce the actual cabin swaying in the event of another mid-air stop.”
While deeply appreciating RIOC’s refreshing new openness, we will continue monitoring this process initiated by Rebecca Seawright in October.
End of Update
Tuesday afternoon, a swelling group of us waited on the platform while both Tram cabins remained under repair. No announcements or advisories were made when one scheduled route was skipped.
The crowd shifted from one side of the platform to the other when the north cabin arrived, assuming it would replace the south cabin where three technicians were on the roof. But it was a ghost cabin. No operator. No passengers, and it soon lifted skyward, still empty.
Late that evening, a RIOC advisory said, “Due to technical issues the North Cabin is out of service.”
No kidding.
Checking in With Assembly Member Seawright
Two months had passed since Seawright engaged the Department of Labor in checking out the Tram. RIOC had, by then, whitewashed several terrifying swinging incidents in which passengers were sickened and, at least once, thrown to the floor.
We asked Seawright’s office what they’d heard from DOL so far. Chief of Staff Courtney Ferrissey shared some information from the Department of Labor Industry Inspection Bureau.
First, the bureau thanked Seawright “for bringing the matter to our attention.”
“The matter,” it said, “is an open inspection/investigation. We can share that the RIOC has been cooperative to date with our inspections. As previously shared, the operator is currently working to implement those changes and the Department continues to actively monitor and inspect the tramway.”
“Those changes” are not so far identified, and we hope to have more on this once the activity concludes.
RIOC comments…
With RIOC President/CEO Shelton J. Haynes on “administrative leave,” the state agency quickly has grown more accessible and responsive.
Although there was no new information shared, spokesperson Bryant Daniels answered our request for RIOC’s position.
“RIOC is always happy to work with the Department of Labor and our Tram operator, POMA, on protocols to ensure safety and security for our riders,” Daniels emailed. “We appreciate their expertise and analysis.”
Summing Up
Although neither RIOC, Leitner-POMA nor the DOL have provided anything resembling adequate information, we now know that each is working cooperatively with the other given public safety and compliance considerations.
Hopefully, we will learn more. When we do, we will update.
AVAC: Where the Pipe Curves
This is the final installment in my notes from the December 2nd, Operations Advisory Committee meeting, following “An Emergency, Apparently” and “Rust Is Funny Until It Isn’t”.
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