In a shocking display of negligence, RIOC blocked access to the Tram for disabled riders, leaving them stranded while tourists surged ahead. Amidst this chaos, RIOC remained silent, blatantly ignoring legal obligations under the ADA. The haunting indifference towards those in need raises a terrifying question: who truly cares for the vulnerable?
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Friday afternoon at the Tram
For those of us assuming that RIOC, the state agency that never gets it wrong, wouldn’t do worse than reneging on its promise of priority boarding for physically challenged Tram riders, Friday afternoon brought disbelief and angry frustration. From RIOC, it brought silence as the bunker mode shroud lowered.
An impenetrable cluster of mainly tourists filled the steps leading to the upper boarding platform. The crowding started at mid-afternoon, then thickened.
At roughly 4:00, my wife and I took the elevator rather than climb with the crowd up three flights. What we found upstairs was staggering. RIOC or its partner, Leitner-POMA, had rigged a metal barrier blocking access to the Tram turnstiles.
That is, the only access route for wheelchairs, folks using walkers and canes as well as moms with strollers was blocked. To be crystal clear, no Tram personnel nor any PSD officers were anywhere in sight. No signage offered guidance.
After we protested the blatant violation of laws protecting disabled passengers, someone slid the barrier aside.
Wheelchairs, etc. were simply denied access. Period.
Alternatives
My wife and did what many others could not. Taking the elevator back down, we walked up 3rd Avenue to the F Train entrance on 63rd for a trip home. The sad irony is that the perpetually filthy, smelly and dangerous subway was a better experience than trying to catch a Tram ride home.
RIOC is Mum
Saturday morning, I did the right thing, writing to RIOC’s alleged interim leadership team. They are CFO Dhruvika Patel Amin, Acting COO Mary Cunneen, Counsel Lada Stasko and PSD Chief Kevin Brown.
I described the scene and asked who authorized blocking handicapped access to the Tram cabins. I also reminded them of the legal obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This obligation requires having personnel specifically trained for aiding physically restricted passengers.
Twenty-four hours later, it came as no surprise that not single one of them answered or even acknowledged the message. Yes, It’s Thanksgiving weekend. They were probably off work, enjoying the long holiday.
But Roosevelt Island is open seven days a week. RIOC bloated overpaid staff supports nearly two dozen earning over $100k per year. At least four pull down over $200K. Having no one available to respond to concerns adds a slap in the face to the disabled abuse.
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”.
