Roosevelt Island resident Paul Krikler shares this email message he sent today to NY State Director of Operations Kathryn Garcia and Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Chair/Commissioner of NY State Division of Homes & Community Renewal Ruthanne Visnauskas about the insanely long line of tourists at the Roosevelt Island Tram this afternoon.
The line went down the staircase wrapped around the Tram Plaza to 59th Street and then halfway up to Third Avenue.
An optimistic resident hopes:
Lines are only during holiday season time when the kids are off from school. We won’t have lines like this next week.
Most residents think we will have long Tram lines throughout the spring and summer.
Here’s more on the long Tram line and what Roosevelt Island residents and workers are asking to be done to fix the problem.
UPDATE 4/18 – The INSANE Roosevelt Island Tram line continued today as shown in this screenshot from the RIOC Tram live streaming webcam.
A resident shares this message sent to Ms Garcia and Visnauskas:
I am writing on behalf of Roosevelt Island residents and workers to express growing concern over the overwhelming impact that increased tourism has had on our daily use of the Roosevelt Island Tram. While we fully understand and appreciate the tram’s appeal to visitors and the unique experience it offers, the current situation has made it increasingly difficult—if not impossible—for those who live and work on the Island to rely on it as a practical mode of transportation.
Wait times regularly exceed an hour, particularly during peak seasons, weekends, and holidays. For residents who depend on the tram for commuting, medical appointments, or simply getting on and off the Island, these delays create a significant disruption to daily life. Workers, including caregivers, healthcare providers, and service staff, face similar challenges, often arriving late or forced to seek alternative, less direct means of transportation.
What was once a reliable and iconic link to Manhattan has now become an unpredictable and frustrating obstacle. The tram should serve as a critical part of our public transportation infrastructure—not just a tourist attraction. The current conditions place an undue burden on the very people the tram was designed to support.
We respectfully urge the appropriate agencies and decision-makers to consider solutions that prioritize access for Roosevelt Island residents and workers. Whether through timed access windows, priority boarding, or an expansion of tram capacity, action is needed to restore the tram’s functionality for the community it was meant to serve.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued support of our unique and vibrant Island community.
Among the comments on the Roosevelt Islander Instagram page;
- I remember when the tram was a good option for quick off-island errands or as a backup during subway delays.
- Well the excess may be contributed to the overwhelming demand to see the Cherry Blossoms, however, we all are aware that the Tram has been over worked. Nothing will change until something unfortunate and critical takes place and RIOC gets sued.
So until then…They will allow the gross negligence to proceed as instructed. Have fun! #R.I SkyLift
UPDATE 4/19 – AGAIN TODAY:
Why don’t they limit the hours for tourist, as they do for museums.