At 1:42 this afternoon, a crowded Tram cabin began another swinging incident hundreds of feet above the East River. It didn’t last long, but after a year the first incident it should not be happening at all.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
I’m reporting on this because I was in the cabin when it started swinging. It followed a rough crossing over the Manhattan support tower, a common experience that’s gotten worse. Now, it sent the cabin swinging at maximum height over the water.
Some tourists thought it was part of the fun. “Wooooo!” But then, it stopped, and so did the cabin. We hung there motionless for about ten minutes, not a word from the cabin operator, no reassurance, no nothing. Finally, it started moving slowly, inching its way toward Roosevelt Island. Altogether, the ride from Second Avenue took about fifteen minutes
Two hours later(!), RIOC finally emailed an advisory: “Due to unexpected maintenance issues, the South Tram Cabin is currently out of service until further notice. Our Tram operator Leitner-POMA is working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible and we will notify the community when full service is restored.”
The Latest Tram Swinging Incident
One takeaway from this is that, had a journalist not been onboard, the swinging incident would never have been reported.
In a misguided effort at protecting its contract partner, Leitner-POMA, RIOC has consistently soft pedaled the Tram’s safety issues. These issues are obvious, so obvious that Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright asked the state Dept. of Labor to get involved. DOL recommended some critical improvements, but those have fallen short.
The Tram, along with uncomfortably overcrowded, is not safe. Some locals will not board it anymore since the first problems a year ago. Because of my sincere interest in ringing in the 2025 New Year, I am now joining them.
Leitner-POMA has not proved it can safely manage the Roosevelt Island Tram. Sadly, RIOC has also shown their unwillingness to do anything about it.
One veteran Roosevelt Islander suggests taking the “Q32, Q101 or Q60 to Queens Plaza, tn transfer to a Roosevelt Island-bound Q102.” It beats risking your life, jammed in with tourists, on Tram ride with an indifferent operator.
The Other End of the Leash
The first thing winter reveals when it loosens its grip is not green grass. It is honesty.
