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Ever since last week's many hour stoppage, Roosevelt Island tram officials have been trying to fix the machines. Only to find out that it's still not working, with the tram stalling twice during test runs. Con Ed emphasized that they had nothing to do with the stoppage - there were no power loads or surges found - and RI officials aren't sure when the investigation will be completed. Roosevelt Island residents are upset, saying that the tram is important for their daily lives because the F train gets too crowded (on the news, one person said that they have to wait for three or four trains before they can get on). But really, they are thinking, "Damn, the transit union still doesn't have a contract - if there's another strike and the tram is out of service, are we going to have to build rafts?"
Gothamist on the Roosevelt Island tram. And the NY Times notes that former Mayor David Dinkins testified to the importance of the tram - he plays tennis on Roosevelt Island!
Photograph of tram carrying many people during the transit strike from Dan Dickinson on Flickr
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A transit strike may not happen, but the MTA already cancels service at Roosevelt Island on many weekends either Manhattan bound or Queens bound to do track work. Next weekend there is no service Queens bound (meaning the train doesn't stop at the RI station). We're supposed to take the train to Roosevelt Avenue - halfway across Queens - then turn around and take a Manhattan bound train back. On weekends when the Manhattan bound train doesn't stop at RI, we have to do the same to get to Manhattan. Sounds like fun, right?
What a shame that they only have the crowded F train now. Five years ago when I lived there, the subway situation was great-- the Q served the Island. There was only one stop in Queens before it came to R.I. and you always got a seat and it never got crowded. Leave it to the fine folks at the MTA to screw that up.
Speaking of the MTA, earlier this week, I was trying to take the E home to Queens, but it was standing at 53rd street. The announcement said the delay was due to an injured passenger. Then it was a BADLY injured passenger. Then they made everyone get off the train and shut the doors but still sat there. Then the announcer got abusive to the people who stayed on the platform, not taking his advice to go ALL THE WAY BACK to the 6, take it to 59th and catch the R. The last time I fell for that, the E caught up with us at Queens Plaza. Anyway, the announcer (a little Hitler) said "What's wrong with you people?! Don't you understnad English? The E train ain't gonna be leaving here for a long, long time!!!" Five minutes later, the doors opened and we continued on our way.
I feel for these people, I really do, but:
"on the news, one person said that they have to wait for three or four trains before they can get on"
Welcome to the L Train!
Waiting for three or four trains -- that's just the way it is.
But I hadn't thought about the fact that there is no other way to get to the city (not even walking, right?) in the event of a strike.
There's one big problem with shutting down the tram that no news reports have noted. The crowds on the F train wouldn't be the biggest problem, the biggest problem is that every weekend the F train skips Roosevelt island in either one direction or the other. I live on the island and the only time I take the tram is when the F isn't running either Manhattan-bound or Queens-bound. If they shut down the tram we sould be stranded on the island on weekends, and I would probably have to break my lease and move.
Actually walking is an option if you want to walk a mile or so to the Queensboro Bridge and then across it. Quite a hike. Of course, this doesn't help the elderly or disabled. And there is a bus that goes to Queens Plaza where you can catch the W or N or whatever - an option, but very time consuming.
Ah, thanks Julian.
Boats, people. We live on islands. Of course, I suppose it would take three years of environmental impact studies before they could get this started.
Yeah, first weekend after the tram mishap, the F was running normally, I figured maybe the MTA got some sense and would cut the one way F service on weekends. Got the email advisory today: Queens-bound F running on the V this weekend. Thanks MTA.
On the other hand, as a native RI resident I remember the good ol' days when there was no subway service at all. Used to take the red bus(no, it wasn't short) to manhattan and back to get to school, when the tram was shutdown for maintenance or thunderstorms. Fun times.