RIOC’s neglect during Christmas left passengers abandoned and uninformed. With erratic service and safety violations, the agency’s incompetence raises urgent questions: Who’s really in charge?
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
In fairness, a story about how RIOC abandoned the community for Christmas starts with the buses. They, the drivers, the managers are the single exception. Just as they did during the pandemic, they stuck it out while the rest of mess cozied up at home.
That said, it was clear by Sunday that the mangers had all fled. An early morning fire in The Landings closed off Main Street through the canyon. Here’s what RIOC had to say:
“Due to FDNY activity southbound and northbound traffic on main street are block off until further notice. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Were it not for a few earlier gaffs, this would set a new standard for illiteracy. There are four specific errors in just 21 words. This level of error would not allow anyone to be promoted past the ninth grade in public schools. In addition, it enjoys the virtue of being almost totally uninformative.
It wasn’t released as an advisory until an hour after the event began. The event was a fire in The Landings. That was just a few minutes before traffic reopened.
Holiday decorations at the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza got off to a bad start….
But then got much worse, vanishing altogether. Holiday greetings for the flood of tourists.
“As usual,” one resident wrote, “NO info on WHERE on Main Street this might be…Foodtown? Manhattan Park? Somewhere between 625 & 501? River walk Buildings?”
It was actually right above RIOC’s semi-anonymous headquarters.
There was also no word on Red Buses. They were out for a couple of hours. This left people standing in the cold at stops. If you’re getting the idea that RIOC does as little as it can get away with, me too. It didn’t get better.
Abandoned by Default
Speaking of the buses, there was a time when RIOC sent out schedules for holiday service. These schedules included buses and the Tram. If you were going to work or for an appointment, you knew what to expect. That practice has been abandoned.
There were no notices of any kind, and it was worse for the Tram. RIOC had every reason to know that Christmas and Christmas Eve would bring a lot of tourists. However, it treated those days like any other weekday. That is, single cabin service between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
2;00 P.M. Christmas Eve.
With inadequate service worsened by the safety slowdown, the Tram platforms soon became cramped. Despite claims made by Chief Financial Officer Dhruvika Amin at last week’s board meeting, there were no Public Safety Officers or POMA personnel around to assist.
RIOC abandoned its known and acknowledged responsibilities, and it was especially acute for seniors and physically challenged passengers. In clear violation of ADA rules and contradicting Amin, they were denied access again. Who’s in charge here? Anyone?
Cattle Call
The next cabin came and off-loaded. It opened its doors for boarding. The crush of passengers would embarrass a herd of cattle. I was personally shoved aside by a woman pushing her daughter through the doors. With my arthritic left knee throbbing with pain, I yelled, “Stop pushing!” The newly awakened cabin operator echoed me. To no avail. The cattle call was already a stampede.
Look, folks, I’m 6’2″ and 190 pounds. If they can bash me around, is it safe for others smaller and less strong? Of course not, but where was RIOC? Where was POMA? Where were those aides CFO Amin guaranteed were always there?
I regularly ride the Tram for business I have nearby on 2nd Avenue. I knew Amin was lying as soon as it came out of her mouth. There is almost never anyone available to help. The only questions are:
- Was the lie intentional, maybe trying to evade ongoing ADA violations?
- Was it ignorant, relying on information from POMA or PSD?
- Are personnel actually supposed to be there but are shirking?
- Who is responsible for fixing this stuff?
Equally inexplicable: Yesterday – Thursday – both Tram cabins operated during the afternoon. The crowds were still egregious, stretching around the block, according to The Roosevelt Islander.
Nevertheless, RIOC has still not informed anyone about bus or Tram schedules.
Rivercross and the Quiet Green Light
Rivercross privatization was enabled in 2010. This matters now because the same governance structures that allowed Rivercross to privatize without formal conflict controls are still in place. The same public authority oversees land leases, settlements, and redevelopment decisions that affect every resident on Roosevelt Island today.
