Residents and visitors of Roosevelt Island now have a new way to navigate the island with the launch of a major update to visitri.nyc and the Roosevelt Island community mobile app developed by The Citizen Project, introducing real-time Red Bus tracking directly on the island map.
For Roosevelt Island residents, where the Red Bus plays a critical role in daily transportation, real-time tracking removes one of the most common uncertainties: when the next bus will arrive.
The long-anticipated feature allows users to see the Red Bus moving along its route in real time, along with estimated arrival times at all stops across the island. The update marks one of the most significant improvements to the platform since its launch and reflects the organization’s mission to use technology to improve community access to information and services.
The update enables visual transit tracking across the island, helping riders quickly determine when the bus will arrive and reducing uncertainty during daily commutes.
The feature brings the Red Bus into a broader integrated transit view within the app, which also includes
- Tram
- Subway connections
- Ferry
- Q102 bus route
Together, these features create a centralized map showing how Roosevelt Island connects to the wider New York City transportation network.
Additional Features in the Update
Beyond transit tracking, the update includes several improvements designed to make the app a daily resource for the island community.
Consolidated Events Calendar
Users can now see all island events in one place, making it easier to discover activities happening across Roosevelt Island.
Integrated News Feed
A built-in news section keeps residents up to date with local reporting, including updates from the great Roosevelt Islander.
Immersive 3D Experiences
Landmarks and island highlights are now presented in interactive 3D views, offering a more engaging way to explore Roosevelt Island digitally.
The application can be downloaded through Apple App Store (Android coming soon) or through visitri.nyc
Feedback: Please share any feedback by submitting the following survey. It helps contribute to continuous improvement of the platform.
Thanks to all of our partners
The latest update represents months of collaboration between community partners and technologists working to improve mobility and access across the island.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our partners at The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance (TRIBA) and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) who collaborated with us to bring this update to life for visitors and Roosevelt Island residents.
A Step Toward a Smarter Island
The app is built and maintained by The Citizen Project, a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening communities through digital tools, open access to information, and civic engagement.
Based on Roosevelt Island, the organization develops platforms that connect residents to local resources, events, transportation, and community initiatives. Its work centers on improving how neighborhoods interact with public information and services through modern technology.
By combining transit visibility, community news, events, and immersive maps into a single platform, the updated app continues The Citizen Project’s broader effort to build a digitally connected neighborhood experience.
As the platform evolves, the organization hopes to expand the technology further bringing additional services, insights, and interactive tools to the island community.
Here’s the October 16, 2025 demonstration of Roosevelt Island App platform features still in development made to Roosevelt Island non profit organizations.
Stay tuned for more to come from The Citizens Project Roosevelt Island App.