It travels a distance of 3,140 feet at a speed of up to 17 miles per hour in less than three (3) minutes. It rises to a maximum height of 230 feet and can carry a maximum of 109 passengers plus an attendant per cabin. The system annually transports more than two million passengers.

The Roosevelt Island Tramway is a modern aerial tramway in New York City that spans approximately 940 to 960 meters (about 3,100 feet) as it crosses the East River. It connects the East Side of Manhattan (at 59th Street and Second Avenue) to Roosevelt Island. The journey takes roughly three to four minutes and reaches a peak height of about 250 feet (76 meters), providing passengers with spectacular, unobstructed views of the Midtown Manhattan skyline, the Chrysler Building, and the Queensboro Bridge, which runs nearly parallel to the tram cables. Originally opened in 1976 as a temporary transport solution while the subway was being completed, it became so iconic and popular that it was turned into a permanent fixture and underwent a complete modernization in 2010. The tram consists of two cabins that run on independent cables, each capable of carrying up to 110 people per trip. Because it is part of the city’s public transit network, riders can use an OMNY tap or a MetroCard to board, making it one of the most affordable and scenic "rides" in the world. It operates nearly 20 hours a day, serving as both a vital commuter link for island residents and a "must-do" attraction for tourists.