The recent rainy weather on weekends kept the tourists away from the Roosevelt Island Tram. That was until yesterday when the nice Sunday afternoon weather brought back the long lines and frustrating waiting times for Roosevelt Island residents and workers as the tourists lined up down the Manhattan Tram Station staircase, wrapping around the Tram Plaza and up to 59th Street.
At about 3:30 PM a Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department officer was stationed at the elevator allowing older adults, disabled people and those with strollers to skip the line by using the elevator to access the platform.
Others were not so fortunate and had to wait on the line or they could use the RIOC Red Bus mini shuttle (which is painted white) to take the 20 minute ride back to Roosevelt Island.
RIOC is operating the free mini bus shuttle to and from Manhattan on weekends in April and maybe longer because of the large number of tourists expected to use the Roosevelt Island Tram. The free shuttle service, between 11 AM – 7:30 PM, leaves Roosevelt Island on the hour and leaves the corner of 60th street and 2nd ave on the half hour.
Be advised that the mini shuttle bus is a bit bumpy. As one rider reports:
Not being facetious, but that RIOC Red Mini Bus is in desperate need of shock absorbers. It’ll make for a less jarring, bone-rattling ride.
I took the 3:30 mini bus shuttle back to Roosevelt Island yesterday with three other people. It was much better than waiting on the line and dealing with the tourists. Come along with us for the ride.
Roosevelt Island residents and workers are gearing up for demonstrations and protests renewing their call for preferential Roosevelt Island Tram boarding ahead of tourists.
A resident reported today:
Don’t schedule a doctor’s appointment during Cherry Blossom season folks. I popped out for a quick appointment and it’s looking like it could be over an hour wait to get home via Tram
Stay tuned. The Tram overcrowding with tourists issue is just about to heat up again.
How about a minibus shuttle on weekday evenings, from 4-6pm? The tram is packed during that time with kids coming home from school and tourists.