Starting just before midnight on Friday, ten days of transportation trouble will challenge Roosevelt Island. A weekend of limited subways hands off to a more challenging week of Tram cabin cutbacks. It’s all about maintenance. That’s good, even when it’s bad.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
UPDATE, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2024: Phase Two of this transportation shutdown has been pushed back one week. The Tram work will now begin on September 30th.
Transportation Trouble Starts with F Trains
“No Jamaica-bound service at 57 St, Lexington Av/63 St, Roosevelt Island, and 21 St-Queensbridge,” the MTA announced. F Trains detour along the E-line, starting Friday at 11:45 p.m. and ending on Monday at 5:00 a.m.
Reasonable alternatives exist for coming home from Manhattan. There’s the Tram, of course. However, its capacity is not enough to easily handle F Train traffic as well as tourists. Avoid long times and waiting by using the Q102. It runs regularly between Roosevelt Island and Queens Plaza where multiple subway lines connect.
NYC Ferry is the most pleasant option, but the landings are limited. If the weather is nice, climb upstairs and enjoy some of New York City’s most interesting views.
Take for granted that RIOC will not expand Red Bus services. They rarely do, these days, and with the highly challenged system, it’s unlikely they’ll change.
And then, the fun starts
Transportation trouble intensifies as RIOC’s partner Leitner-POMA takes the south cabin of the Roosevelt Island Tram out of service for six days. That starts on Monday, the 23rd 30th, and runs through Saturday. RIOC tells us “They’re replacing some gearbox couplings on the South Cabin. It’s more preventative maintenance, replacing older components.” Leitner-POMA often finishes earlier than planned; so, there’s hope for a little relief.
The buses, ferry and subway all stand as alternatives. For those depending on the Tram for school, appointments and work, it’ll be tough sledding. That’s at least partly because RIOC’s Public Safety Department routinely screws up Tram crowding and access. This is especially – and embarrassingly – challenging for anyone with physical restrictions. It’s been an unofficial “Wheelchairs stay home” policy for a while, and under these conditions, it worsens.
The Unnecessary Tram Mess
We got a close up look at the sheer ineptitude on Saturday. Before noon, CJ Hendry’s FLOWER MARKET shut down early. PSD joined with NYPD to clear out hundreds of visitors from Southpoint and FDR Four Freedoms Parks.
It was a job well-done, but when it came to the Tram, it wasn’t.
Hours after the parks were cleared, PSD was – allegedly – overseeing Tram traffic. On the Roosevelt Island side, for reasons that surpass understanding, the north side turnstiles were blocked off without explanation. Yellow fencing blocked paid entry. Instead, a short line of passengers entered for free. They entered through the gate normally used by strollers and – rarely – wheelchairs.
But here’s the thing. All anyone needed to do to jump that line was walk twenty feet over to the south side turnstiles. There, you could enter with either OMNY or MetroCard. Those turnstiles were not blocked off at all. What the hell?
And just for the record, a pair of public safety officers were on hand. What were they doing? Chatting next to the station manager’s booth, paying no attention to the platform.
On the other side, it was even sillier. When we exited at 2nd Avenue, a lone officer gazed at us as we exited the cabin. The jam-packed platform and busy stairwell let alone the elevators were ignored.
Where Rioc really fails When There’s Transportation Trouble
Despite it’s being pointed out multiple times, RIOC chooses leaving up a poster about “PSD TRAM ASSISTANCE.” It says it all but not in the way intended or expected by those in need. There is never a PSD officer to “speak with” anywhere in sight.
Whether deliberate of not, this is unkind, and PSD knows better. Its $160K plus per year chief, Kevin Brown, can either position an officer nearby or take the damn sign down. But he should not be allowed to do neither. Where the hell is RIOC’s leadership?
Clear enough for months now, RIOC’s management either cannot or will not deal with PSD’s everyday incompetence. If you’re thinking about using the Tram next week and you’re physically challenged, don’t. You many get stranded while the assistance diddles around elsewhere.
Before I Find the Eggs
Trader Joe’s has its own choreography.
