News

NEW YORK, NY May 18, 2006 —Roosevelt Island's famous tram won't be back in service until September, at the earliest. Officials say a full upgrade is needed following the malfunction in April that stranded passengers. WNYC's Beth Fertig reports.

Engineers say faulty wiring was the cause of last month's Tram malfunction. They've installed a new primary electrical system and plan to upgrade a second one. They'll also install a new diesel-powered backup engine to replace that one that failed.

Herb Berman, who heads the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, says he'll recommend overhauling the entire 30-year old tram to make it even safer once it reopens. The total cost will run between $12 and $15 million. The delayed reopening disappointed some older and disabled residents who prefer the tram to the subway.

Berman says he'll work with city officials to explore adding ferries so residents have alternatives. For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.