NX Express Posted November 25, 2010 Share #1 Posted November 25, 2010 The Roosevelt Island tram is once again coasting high above the East River. Officials on Tuesday conducted one of several dry runs before next week's grand reopening. "We're absolutely ecstatic. November 30th is our launch date and we're going to have our tram up and running," said Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation President Leslie Torres. The tram has been out of service since March when the RIOC took it down for a massive makeover. RIOC decided the tram needed an overhaul after 69 people were stranded when the system lost power back in 2006. With the new, state-of-the-art tram, officials say it will be easier to do repairs and provide service at the same time. "The trams can move individually and whenever we have to do maintenance we can shut down one line and work on the other," said Tram Manager Armando Cordova. As the Metropolitan Transportation Authority worked on the new turnstiles at the tram station, NY1 got a tour of one of the new cabins, which are clean and sleek with longer seats and bigger windows for better views than the old tram offered. Traveling at 17 miles per hour, it will take just three minutes to get from one side of the river to the other. "This tram is designed in a way that it doesn't move very much while you're on it which is an incredible innovation so it's almost a seamless, very pleasant ride," Torres said. Island residents who have been without the tram for nine long months say they're ready to have it back. "I'm so excited, I'm so sick and tired of riding this F train," said one Roosevelt Island dweller. "The train was very messed up all the time and we couldn't depend on the train," said another. While the tram was down, the subway was the only way on and off the island other than by car. "Everybody I talked to on the island is missing the tram, it's our connection with the Upper East Side and we're glad it's coming back," said one Roosevelt Island dweller. All that's left now is for the State Department of Labor to do a final inspection and certify it good to go. Source: http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/129481/roosevelt-island-tram-gets-wired-up--undergoes-test-run/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forest Glen Posted November 25, 2010 Share #2 Posted November 25, 2010 After finals, I will take pics and make a video of the tram. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted November 25, 2010 Share #3 Posted November 25, 2010 WOOOHOOO!! it's coming BACK!! :eek: :tup: :eek: Ok, yea i'm excited about my beloved tramway coming back online. Deal with it. :cool: B) - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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