The Roosevelt Island Tramway was born in
1976 as a means to shuttle residents to and from Manhattan. It
was born due to resident frustration with the New York City
Transit Authority, who had made unsuccessful plans to provide
subway service from Roosevelt Island to Manhattan and Queens.
Over twenty years later, the Tram has serviced over 20 million
passengers and provided passengers with a breathtaking view of
New York as they are quickly shuttled between Roosevelt Island
and Manhattan.
The Tramway was built by the Swiss company Vonroll under
designers Prentice & Chan and Ohlhausen in 1976. Holding 125
persons, the Roosevelt Island Tram is the only commuter cable
car in North America. It travels a distance of 3,100 feet at an
average speed of 16 mph in 4 1/2 minutes. It rises to a maximum
height of 250 feet and travels at certain points parallel and
slightly above the adjacent Queensboro Bridge, linking Long
Island City, Queens, and 59th Street in Manhattan.
