The tram is operated by Leitner-Poma on behalf of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation of the State of New York, a state public benefit corporation created in 1984 to run services on the island.
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Roosevelt Island is owned by the city but was leased to the New York State Urban Development Corporation for 99 years in 1969. Most of the residential buildings on Roosevelt Island are rental buildings.
Roosevelt Island's biggest transportation attraction is the Roosevelt Island Tram. For the price of a MetroCard swipe, you can rise 250 feet above the East River and be transported between Roosevelt Island and Manhattan in just four minutes!
Top ways to experience The Roosevelt Island Tramway and nearby attractions. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 92% of travelers recommend this experience.
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.
Roosevelt Island, island in the East River, between the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, New York City. Administratively part of Manhattan, it is 1.5 miles (about 2.5 km) long and 1/8 mile wide, with an area of 139 acres (56 hectares).
Through the 19th century, the island housed several hospitals and a prison. In 1828, the City of New York purchased the island for $32,000 (equivalent to $852,752 in 2022), and four years later, the city erected a penitentiary on the island; the Penitentiary Hospital was built to serve the needs of the prison inmates.
Last September, about 100 passengers were trapped when a power failure halted the two cars for about an hour. No one was injured. The tram opened in 1976. It travels 3,100 feet at 16 mph, making the trip in five minutes.
Once closed to the public, today Roosevelt Island is home to a residential community and a number of parks and landmarks. At the island's southern end, the Louis Kahn–designed Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park offers public programming and family-friendly events.
Roosevelt Island has several methods for getting around without using your feet (too much). The Roosevelt Island Red Bus is quite convenient, stopping at both the subway and the Tram, and continuing along a loop around the island. A schedule and list of stops can be found HERE.
Roosevelt Island Tram TicketsFor adults, the ride costs just $2.90 each way. Those with an unlimited MetroCard won't have to pay anything. For a round-trip cost of just $5.80 for an adult, this is an awesome deal for an incredible view!