Roosevelt Island Tram Reopens After 8-Month Overhaul

New York, NY (November 30, 2010) – After an extensive overhaul, the Roosevelt Island tram reopened after an 8-month overhaul that began March 1st. The upgrade by French-based Leitner-Poma, allows each tram cab to operate independently - making for improved rush hour service levels. The repairs were originally scheduled to be concluded by the end of August. This modernized and streamlined transportation system is ready to serve New York City/Roosevelt Island commuters, tourists and sightseers for the next thirty years.
The genesis of this upgrade arose in 2006 when the tram locked up and stranded riders hundreds of feet up in the air with no way to get down. The gondolas couldn’t move independently and those passengers were literally swinging in the wind for about 10 hours.
The two major benefits resulting from the completion of this project is that one cab could operate independently when the other is out of service and the 3-minute trip from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island is a minute faster than before. The new tram has been outfitted with two independently operated and powered cars (or pods) shuttling back and forth across the East River with the ability to carry up to 109 passengers at a time and 2 million people annually.

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