RIOC blatantly violates disabled access laws, prioritizing tourists over rights. Their incompetence continues unchecked, a disgraceful reflection of systemic failure in public safety management.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Yesterday, A Holiday Lesson in Denying Disabled Access
It is never legal to block disabled access to public transportation in New York City. RIOC, specifically its Public Safety Department, has no excuse.
- Legal Protections:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): This federal law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including transportation.
- New York City Human Rights Law: This city law further strengthens protections for people with disabilities, ensuring equal access to public accommodations and services.
- Consequences:
- Blocking disabled access to public transportation can have serious legal consequences, including fines and potential jail time.
It’s crucial to remember that everyone deserves equal access to transportation, regardless of their abilities. It’s a lesson RIOC has yet to learn.
Disabled access is a hallmark of human rights, honored by advanced nations around the world. But it’s grossly denied on Roosevelt Island. And as it happens repeatedly, incompetence is not a shield RIOC can hide behind anymore. The state agency knows it’s wrong but does it anyway.
We are already aware that RIOC denies access to individuals protected by the ADA. Scrums of tourists ushered to the turnstiles like favored guests deny others fair access. The boarding stampede threatens many seniors as well as frail and physically challenged passengers.
RIOC knows this and does nothing corrective, despite countless complaints. It’s illegal, and they should know that too.
A line of tourists crowded the stairs, trailing off into the adjacent park. At the same time yesterday, RIOC blocked elevator access for anyone exiting the north cabin. It was stairs only, and you could not reenter the Tram for escape.
Extending the Denial
RIOC’s actions didn’t stop there. Around the corner, while continuing to deny access to the neediest, RIOC deployed officers to ease tourist through the turnstiles.
Note the alleged POMA “station manager” engaged with his cellphone. The next disabled access fence was a few feet in front of him.
On the south side, RIOC denied access to and from the elevators. A RIOC source explained that the idea was to keep those exiting from jamming up with the boarding line. Whatever the intention, denying the sole option for disabled access is as illegal as it is boneheaded.
The POMA station manager’s view. RIOC contracts with POMA to operate the Tram, including station managers for handling platform issues. Both parties know that doesn’t happen often. However, RIOC still forks over $5 million of Roosevelt Islanders’ money to the subcontractor every year.
The Elevators
The only reason the 2nd Avenue Tram plaza ever had elevators was for people with disabilities. The original elevators were crude. When they finally proved unreliable, RIOC invested millions in new construction. But things changed. Few wheelchairs roll on or off anymore. Mostly, the expensive elevators serve weary tourists.
It’s not just crowding. It’s fear of the unmanaged chaos upstairs.
But yesterday – and not for the first time – RIOC made it worse. In a thickheaded move, it denied disabled access, even for those who dared try.
Disabled Access: A Problem that Must Be Fixed
The problem is not with public safety officers. They are unfailingly polite and helpful. The trouble is a management failure. The PSOs are just doing as they are directed. The PSD management failure worsens because with the lack of accountability that permeates RIOC.
The top heavy state agency allegedly managing Roosevelt Island misfires at every level. When challenged, they bunker, and they lie. The board charged with overseeing operations has been ineffective. It is about as useful as a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.
Yet, it’s no longer an issue of naked incompetence. It’s a matter of blatantly violating both federal and city laws. And it’s overseen by Governor Hochul, through board chair RuthAnne Visnauskas.
None of this will change until legal action is taken or the elected officials step in with some muscle. Simple shame will not change RIOC or its Public Safety Department.
Emergency Without Urgency
When government invokes the word “emergency,” normal process changes. Timelines accelerate. Environmental review can narrow. Procurement pathways can shift.
