A Look at the History of the Roosevelt Island Tram in New York City

In the United States, most people are accustomed to buses, subways, elevated trains, and trolleys as forms of mass transit to get us around our cities and towns. But how often do you use cable car tramways in your daily commute? The Roosevelt Island Tram, which connects Manhattan and Roosevelt Island in New York City, has been operating since 1976.

Having carried millions of New Yorkers and tourists since it opened, the Roosevelt Island Tram has become both an integral component in New York City's complex network of mass transit and an iconic landmark.

The History of the Roosevelt Island Tram

Trolleys carried commuters to and from Roosevelt Island via the Queensboro Bridge until 1957. Once the trolleys stopped running, buses took over. However, the need for increased public transit service to and from Roosevelt Island increased in the 1970s as Roosevelt Island saw an increase in low- and moderate-income residents.

Plans for a subway connection were developed, but with completion of a subway line years away at that time, a cable car tramway was built to offer interim public transportation. In 1976, the Roosevelt Island Tram was built, becoming the first cable car tramway system used for the purpose of mass transit in the United States.

Constructed by Von Roll, a major Swiss cable car company, the Roosevelt Island Tram soon became quite popular. Even with the completion of a subway link between Manhattan and Roosevelt Island in 1989, the Roosevelt Island Tram continues to draw commuters and tourists in droves.

In 2010, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (which oversees the Roosevelt Island Tram) plans an extensive renovation project which will modernize the Roosevelt Island Tram, bringing new gondolas and technological upgrades to all aspects of the tramway and its infrastructure.

Roosevelt Island Tram Fun Facts

The tram travels a distance of 3,100 feet.

A trip in the Roosevelt Island Tram will take you 250 feet above the East River.

Each gondola can carry 125 passengers and one attendant.

The gondola travels at 16 miles-per-hour, completing a one-way trip in about 4-1/2 minutes.

The Roosevelt Island Tram sees more than 2 million passengers every year.

Only lightning and winds over 40 miles-per-hour will stop the Roosevelt Island Tram from operating.

The Roosevelt Island Tram in the Movies

Even if you've never been to New York City, you probably recognize the Roosevelt Island Tram from the silver screen.

Perhaps the Roosevelt Island Tram's most famous, notable appearance is in the dramatic final scenes of Spider-Man (2002). The Roosevelt Island Tram is also seen in City Slickers (1991) and Nighthawks (1981). A rendition of the Roosevelt Island Tram was also seen in the Kongfrontation ride at Universal Studios in Florida from 1990 to 2002.

Resources

Personal and first-hand knowledge and experience
Roosevelt Island Tramway
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation of the State of New York Facts