The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) hosted a 50th anniversary celebration of the Roosevelt Island Tram today together with Tram operator Leitner-Poma of America and the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS).
Here’s what happened.
The Tramiversay celebration was hosted by RIOC Assistant Vice President Communications And Government Affairs Bryant Daniels. According to Mr Daniels:
I want to welcome everybody here to Tramway Plaza as we celebrate an incredible milestone, the 50th anniversary of the Roosevelt Island Tram first opened in 1976.
For five decades the Tram has been a defing part of Roosevelt Island and one of the recognizable transportation systems in New York City. It’s carried millions of riders across East River, connected generations of residents to the rest of the city to become a true symbol of this community. Today is an opportunity not only to celebrate the tram itself, but also the people, partnerships, and history that helped make it such an enduring part of Roosevelt Island life.
RIOC President BJ Jones said:
Thank you all for being here as we celebrate this extraordinary milestone. For half a century, the Tram has safely transported more than 85 million riders, all while offering one of the most spectacular commutes imaginable.
When the tram opened in 1976, Roosevelt Island was still in the very early stages of becoming the community we know today. in fact, the tram was originally envisioned as a temporary transportation solution to connect residents to Manhattan until the subway arrived. But what was supposed to be temporary quickly became iconic. 50 years later, the Tram remains not only an essential part of daily life on Roosevelt Island, but also one of the defining symbols of this community and one of the most beloved pieces of the New York City skyline.
And of course, none of that happens without people. So today we also celebrate the generations of operators, mechanics, engineers, attendants, maintenance crews, and staff members who have kept the tram running safely and reliably through every stage of Roosevelt Island’s growth. Their work has connected millions of riders to their homes, jobs, schools, families, and futures, and they deserve our sincere gratitude and recognition…
… Finally, as part of this 50th anniversary celebration, we’ve also launched a public initiative asking the community to help us imagine what comes next for the tram’s original cabins, which have been sitting beneath the Motorgate Helix for years. We’ve already received some incredibly creative ideas from residents and tram fans. And we’re keeping the public submission portal open for a few more weeks. So, if you haven’t shared your idea yet, there’s still some time to do it. We’re excited to see how the community helps shape the next chapter of tram history.
The tram is more than transportation. It’s part of the fabric and identity of Roosevelt Island. It’s appeared in movies, television shows, postcards, photographs seen around the world. But most importantly, it’s been a part of the people’s everyday lives here for 50 years. And that’s something worth celebrating. So, here’s to the next 50 years of the Roosevelt Island Tramway.
Leitner-Poma of America Chief Executive Officer Daren Cole presented BJ Jones with a plaque celebrating 50 years of Roosevelt Island Tram history
and said:
… We are just so honored and so proud to be part of this iconic transportation system and look forward to the next 50 years…
RIHS President Judy Berdy remembered the early days of riding the Roosevelt Island Tram:
… Over the years, there are dozens of stories about movie shoots. Remember Nighthawks? Anybody? Sylvester Stallone commandeered the Tram and we told him we really didn’t care about his money and to please leave the island.
The morning routine in the old days was great. Friends and neighbors did not know what a cell phone was. We all talked to each other. We knew each other. And being that there were only five, six, 7,000 people here, it was a real small town. There were a lot of friendships made on the tram, maybe a few divorces, but also it was a wonderful way to commute.
We have witnessed marriage proposals and ceremonies on the tram cabin. We have stories of a living history of the island….
Approximately 75 residents and guests attended the celebration at Tramway Plaza and received a slice of Tramiversary Birthday cake
as well as a commemorative 50th Anniversary T-shirt and a replica of the original Roosevelt Island Tram token.
I’m told the cake was delicious.
The RIOC Instagram page has more photos from the today’s Tramiversary celebration.
CBS New York covered the 50th Roosevelt Island Tram Anniversary too.
Wonderful memories with my husband Steve riding the Tram on Saturday nights going to dinner and the movies. The good old days!
We should remember that, for its first 30 years, the Tram was not a part of the MTA and had its own fee and token for payment. The Tram became a part of the MTA, with free transfers to subways and buses, through the efforts of RIRA and the City Council.