Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) is a public agency charged with the planning, development, and operation of projects concerning Roosevelt Island. Its services include the field of public transport -- operating the famous Roosevelt Island aerial tramway between Roosevelt Island and Manhattan as well as providing "Red Bus" service on Roosevelt Island itself.

The Roosevelt Island aerial tramway was originally built in 1976 as a temporary measure to provide the new housing developments on Roosevelt Island with access to Manhattan, as the 63rd Street subway line had not been completed yet. It was, and remains, the only commuter cable car in North America. The tramway proved to be popular among residents and tourists alike and it was kept in operation following the opening of the Roosevelt Island subway station in 1989. Service on the aerial tramway is provided by two large cars manufactured by the Swiss company Vonroll, which have the capacity to hold 125 people. There are two tramway stations, one on Roosevelt Island just north of the Queensboro Bridge, the other in Manhattan at East 60th Street and 2nd Avenue.

For Roosevelt Island's "Red Bus" service, RIOC owns four bright red Orion VII hybrid buses similar to those owned by New York City Transit. This bus fleet, which arrived in late 2005, is supplemented by a fleet of eight New Flyer D40LFs that usually are restricted to rush hour use only. The Red Bus costs 25 cents to ride -- the cheapest public transportation in New York City.
Tramway
1 image view
  • Tramway car 1 is seen approaching the Manhattan end of the tramway. This picture was taken before the tramway system was rehabilitated in 2006 (note the old "TheTram" logo.) The Queensboro Bridge can be seen in the background.
  • Date: 2005.05.17
image view
  • Tramway car 1 departs the Manhattan terminal for the several-minute trip across the river to Roosevelt Island. Note the new (and controversial) RIOC logo, which was installed after the 2006 tramway rehabilitation.
  • Date: 2008.06.05
Red Bus:
New Flyer D40LF
1993 New Flyer D40LF (1-8)
1 image view
  • Location: Main Street @ Roosevelt Island subway station
  • Date: 2005.05.10
2 image view
  • Location: Main Street
  • Date: 2005.05.10
image view
  • Location: Tramway loop
  • Date: 2006.01.17
3 image view
  • Location: Main Street north of the Tramway Loop
  • Date: 2005
image view
  • Location: Tramway station
  • Date: 2005
image view
  • Location: Main Street @ Motorgate
  • Date: 2006.01.02
image view
  • Location: Tramway station
  • Date: 2008.06.20
6 image view
  • Location: Main Street @ Roosevelt Island subway station
  • Date: 2005.05.17
image view
  • Location: Main Street @ Roosevelt Island subway station
  • Date: 2006.01.02
8 image view
  • Location: Tramway station
  • Date: 2005
Red Bus:
Orion VII HEV
2005 Orion VII 07.501 HEV (1-4)
1 image view
  • Location: RIOC Garage
  • Date: 2006.01.16
  • Note: With New Flyer D40LF #1
image view
  • Location: Tramway station
  • Date: 2006.04.05
image view
  • Location: East 60th Street and 2nd Avenue, Manhattan
  • Date: 2006.05.16
  • Notes: This bus is seen operating on a special shuttle route that existed to replace tramway service during the 2006 tramway rehabilitation. This service was discontinued upon the reopening of the tramway.
image view
  • Location: Tramway station
  • Date: 2008.06.20
  • Notes: Displaying a promotional message for the RIOC Saturday weekly movie -- "Neverending Story".
2 image view
  • Location: RIOC Garage
  • Date: 2006.01.16
  • Note: With Orion VII #4
3 image view
  • Location: Main Street @ Roosevelt Island subway station
  • Date: 2006.01.16
image view
  • Location: Tramway station
  • Date: 2008.06.20
  • Notes: Displaying a promotional message for the RIOC Saturday weekly movie -- "Neverending Story".
4 image view
  • Location: RIOC Garage
  • Date: 2006.01.16
  • Note: With Orion VII #2
image view
  • Location: Tramway station
  • Date: 2007.01.25
image view
  • Location: Tramway station
  • Date: 2007.02.24