Gothamist: Roosevelt Island Tram Is So Busted

Phil

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 15:17:25 -0500

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.

Phil

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 15:14:41 -0500

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.

water water everywhere

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 14:42:47 -0500

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.

mihow

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 13:38:26 -0500

Ah, thanks Julian.

Julian

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 11:31:13 -0500

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.

Dave

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 11:08:21 -0500

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.

mihow

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 10:44:09 -0500

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.

Trilby

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 10:43:23 -0500

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.

anonymous

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 10:17:34 -0500

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?