When I arrived on Roosevelt Island, circa 1990, the community’s respect for its disabled community excited me. My dad was physically challenged as was a close cousin. I’d witnessed the struggles firsthand when no accommodations were available. But Roosevelt Island was barrier-free, a forward-looking community that cared. Signs are now that that boldly humanitarian resolve dissolved in recent years. This weekend was a harsh reminder.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Disabled and The Tram, RIOC and Leitner-POMA
First, let’s get one fact clear. Although RIOC‘s interim leadership and several board members were asked to comment on two incidents, only board member Ben Fhala bothered. And his comment showed minimal concern for the victims and heaped butt-kissing at PSD:
“It’s disheartening to hear about this,” Fhala wrote. “I want to emphasize that PSD often receives positive feedback on cases where they assist members of the public in need, both on the island and on the tram.”
That’s it, the cumulative RIOC response to the incidents I’ll describe here, both observed by me, not coming from any outside source.
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza
People using wheelchairs seldom rely on the Tram anymore because of, as we’ve repeatedly told RIOC, tourist overcrowding and the absence of any assistance. So, it was a surprise seeing a man in a wheelchair on the platform, waiting to board.
But the surprise quickly turned to anger. As the doors opened, tourists began pushing against the wheelchair, determined to board first. The worldwide hunger for one more Instagram or TikTok video must be sated.
Shocked, I stepped in and asked everyone to stand back while the gentleman in the chair boarded. Some did.
While this happened, the Leitner-POMA Tram operator stood feet away and did nothing, not even a word of guidance. Zero. Public Safety? Despite countless promises from RIOC that officers would be on hand to assist, there were none.
Another Roosevelt Islander reported hundreds of people wandering through the plaza that day with not a single Public Safety officer anywhere in sight.
Given two days to respond, RIOC’s interim managers and Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown said nothing.
Meet the new boss
Same as the old bossThe Who: We Won’t Get Fooled Again
Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza
At the last minute before the cabin doors closed for a trip to 2nd Avenue, a woman using a walker for assistance rolled on. Individuals with walkers and wheelchairs often board last because they must wait for the entry gate to be opened by Tram personnel or Public Safety.
The cabin was already full, but hardly anyone moved out of her way. She passed within inches of the speechless Tram operator who said nothing nor offered any help. This is typical with Leitner-POMA, and will not change as RIOC appears intimidated by the contractor despite poor performance.
The lady was determined and kept pushing her walker through tourists before demanding a seat on the bench. Give some young adults credit for moving aside.
This time, there was a PSO in the vicinity, but she was standing outside the facility, a few feet away from the entrance in the direction of NYC Ferry. She wasn’t helping anyone with MetroCards or directions or anything else. As usual, there was no PSD presence on the platform or in the cabin, leaving the tourists and Leitner-POMA to do their thing.
While it was good seeing the woman with her walker finally get a seat, it should be understood that most other physically challenged people would not have been as aggressive. As we’ve repeatedly told RIOC, most gave up on the Tram months ago.
This is, without question, not just wrong but discriminatory toward people with disabilities.
The RIOC Response
Of course, there was none although The Daily advised multiple managers and board members and asked for their comments. There was not one other than Fhala’s feeble response.
In the past, RIOC spokespeople have defended themselves by saying their reserved seating signs in Tram cabins meet legal requirements. They don’t, of course, for three reasons:
- They quickly disappear behind seated passengers.
- Some passengers simply don’t care, and there is no enforcement by RIOC or Leitner-POMA.
- The signs are English-only and many tourists are not well-versed in it.
Yet, there’s another huge flaw in RIOC’s claim of meeting their legal requirements for mass transit. They can’t make special boarding accommodations for disabled customers or residents because that would be a violation.
But wait a minute. Doesn’t the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require that physically challenged people have equal rights to transportation access? Of course, it does…
Which leaves us with this question: why does RIOC honor the legal demands of tourists but not those of needy Roosevelt Islanders?
Listen: the sounds of silence.
You Can FOIL* It
On April 15, at the Steam Plant Demolition Town Hall, a simple exchange revealed something far more consequential than anything formally presented that evening.
My full response was:
“It’s disheartening to hear about this. I want to emphasize that PSD often receives positive feedback on cases where they assist members of the public in need, both on the island and on the tram.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a clear systematic approach communicated to PSD, the tram operator, and the public. Ideally, the tram operator would prioritize boarding for people with young children and the elderly before allowing the rest of the public to board. I plan to follow up with the team to establish a clear policy and clarify responsibilities. As the ops meeting is scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday, where most stakeholders will be present, I’ll aim to raise this as a new agenda item.
Thanks,
Ben Fhala*
Resident Board Member
*Disclaimer: All statements made by Ben Fhala are made in his capacity as a RIOC Resident Board member. He does not represent the entirety of RIOC nor the full board but serves as a Resident Board member, offering information to the community and its stakeholders.”
On the contrary, Ben. RIOC, Leitner-POMA and PSD have strenuously resisted a systemic approach. RIOC argues that they need do nothing more than indicate seating preferences. Bottom line: RIOC executives have a long, deteriorating history of indifference. There is qualitatively no difference between the current approach and that of the Haynes administration.