The Tramway won't be part of the Metrocard free-transfer system anytime soon, according to Robert H. Ryan, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC).

"We've decided against it, at least for now," Ryan told The WIRE.  "Right now we're losing in excess of $700,000 a year on the Tram.  The Metrocard equipment would cost in the neighborhood of $700,000, and then we would have to split revenues 50-50 with MTA.  So as you can see, we would be digging ourselves deeper into the hole.  At this point, it doesn't make financial sense to have the Metrocard."    (Related editorial.)

In response to a question about a possible MTA takeover of the Tramway, Ryan said, "The Tram has not been turned down by the MTA.  It wasn't an offer, per se.  They did a study a year or two ago and they took a look at it, but that's where it stopped."

In other matters:

• On the Diane Wilson proposal to add a second floor to the Island's west-shore minischools, turning them into luxury condos, Ryan said that RIOC is in the process of working out deadlines for her to demonstrate she can procure financing and meet other criteria responsive to a resolution passed in June by the RIOC Board of Directors.  "We had a meeting today (Tuesday)," Ryan reported.  "The deadlines are being worked out.  We're almost there."

• Asked about Chase Bank's plan to close its Island branch October 22, Ryan said RIOC has sent out over 80 letters to various banks, adding, "We've been on the phone with a couple of different ones that have responded to the letters, and we're working on it.  I'm optimistic.  Obviously there's a market here.  Maybe it didn't fit into Chase's business plan, but I'm sure it's going to fit into somebody else's business plan."  He continued, "We've had correspondence with Chase and we're hopeful that there might be a compromise that could be reached, of them at least staying a little longer, or maybe being open two or three days a week, but none of that is more than discussion at the moment."
• Informed that The WIRE had received letters from residents complaining about the August 5 closing of Lighthouse Park for a private event, Ryan said, "We had a wedding there.  We permit out areas just like other agencies do.  We permited it out; we charged $1,000 (including security).  This was a 20-plus-year resident of the Island who was getting married.  If someone wants to come, we work things out.  If it was, for example, a film crew that wanted to shoot something there, we'd usually try to have them do it during the week.  But weddings usually take place during the weekend when people can attend them."
• Ryan said that RIOC has put in a path at Octagon Park to facilitate its use by the people in wheelchairs, because the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association has barbecues there.  In addition, RIOC is moving forward with the mapping of the Island's barbecues as part of the plan to make some available on a rental basis while having others available on a first-come basis.