Residents of Roosevelt Island Seek Priority Boarding for Tram

Locals on Roosevelt Island are expressing frustration over having to wait alongside a large number of tourists who often seem more interested in taking selfies than using the tram as a means of transportation. These residents are advocating for a system of “priority boarding.”

Some residents have reported waiting as long as 45 minutes just to board the tram from the Upper East Side to Roosevelt Island. Paul Crichler, a long-time resident and chairman of the local community board, believes tourists are not the issue; rather, it’s the overwhelming number of them.

While there are other options like the downtown ferry and the metro’s F Train, residents argue these alternatives are insufficient, especially when trying to make appointments or handle school-related transportation.

Felicia Raff, vice president of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, mentioned that delays caused by crowds often result in locals being late for work. She recognizes that visiting the island is a bucket list experience for many, but she emphasizes that tourists have the option to wait for the next tram.

The popularity of the tram has surged, as it’s been featured on several social media lists highlighting top activities in New York City, resulting in an additional million riders over the past two years. “It’s been a nightmare,” said 69-year-old resident Lula Striz. She pointed out that the elevators at the F Train station frequently malfunction, which is particularly challenging for older residents. “I just push my way through when I can’t wait,” she added.

At a recent gathering at Tramway Plaza, community leaders, including Councilor Julie Menin and Senator Brad Hoylman, voiced their support for residents seeking better tram access. Menin proposed a solution that could allow locals to board first and suggested introducing tourist passes that could help local businesses.

Menin remarked, “The idea is to let residents go first while still promoting the fantastic attractions on Roosevelt Island.” She plans to meet with government officials to advance these proposals. The request for priority boarding isn’t entirely new; during a prior suspension of the F Train, locals had approached the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) about the growing influx of tourists.

At that time, RIOC maintained that it would be illegal to prioritize riders based on residential status, citing state laws and other contractual obligations. They emphasized that the tram is open to all, both residents and visitors alike.

However, residents like Crichler argue that the heightened traffic has led to a “transportation crisis,” making it essential to find a way to prioritize local residents and workers. They point out that other cities, like Portland, Maine, and Puerto Rico, already have similar initiatives in place.

In November, over 2,500 locals signed a petition calling for priority boarding, despite RIOC’s reluctance to take the proposal seriously. Historically, a similar priority pass was issued in 1976 due to tourism concerns.

Even so, some tourists don’t agree with a prioritization plan. Yolanda Pedraza, a visitor from Colombia, believes it would be unfair to those traveling from afar to enjoy the views. “It’s a beautiful place to visit,” she said. “Many come from around the globe, so I don’t think that’s fair.”