The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation is again considering a cutback in Tramway service.  It would end service at 10:00 p.m.

At the RIOC Board's July 12 meeting, CFO Patrick Siconolfi told Board members that the late shift produces only 9% of Tramway revenue, while accounting for 27% of operating costs.  "To provide one ride on the overnight shift cost $7.94" during a one-year period, Siconolfi said, adding that the total cost of the third shift is $645,000 and its revenue production only about $100,000.  "The net cost-saving associated with that overnight shift would be about $545,000," he said.

Siconolfi said that of the 9% of riders who make late-night trips, less than 1% of the number were seniors, and only 2.6% were disabled.  "The data shows they are very small numbers," he said.  Defenders of the Tram often point out that it is virtually the only access to the Island for seniors and disabled, particularly during late hours.

Board Chair Marybeth Labate said she wasn't prepared to have the Board vote on elimination of the third shift at the July 12 meeting, but said it would be taken up again in September, after allowing time for resident comments.  RIOC later set August 3 as a deadline for comments, but Labate extended that to mid-August at the request of Residents Association President Matthew Katz.

RIOC Board members seemed to be unanimous in their concern about the late-night losses, but none appeared immediately ready to commit to the service cutback.  John Mannix said, "Instinctually, I don't think we should do it,  I think fiscally the numbers clearly say what they say.  Instinctually, I feel cutting back that service while we are trying to build and bring more residents... may send the wrong message."

Resident Board member David Kraut said, "I have no trouble understanding, on a purely dollars and cents basis, why we should cut out the third shift.  We can use that money elsewhere, such as on the many Tramway maintenance issues we're facing.  But I also understand that the Tramway is the way some number of our residents are accustomed to coming home late at night."  Kraut also cited concerns about complying with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as did others on the Board.

"I will always speak in favor of absorbing the expense of that extra shift," Kraut said, "even though I know it's an incredible subsidy to the people who ride the Tram at those hours...  Financially, it looks horrible, but in terms of continuing to keep the Tram a viable part of the community's operation and the potential for more ridership in the future, at the least I offer the thought that, if we do decide to go to two shifts, that it be a short-term consideration until we begin to see the population of Southtown growing."

Leo Kayser, a recent appointee to the Board by Governor George Pataki, cited the potential for advertising on the Tram cabins as a possible solution to financial problems, and lamented the fact that the City Council has forbidden it (see separate story).  Kayser's concerns over being allowed to advertise dominated much of the discussion of Tramway finances and the consideration of a cut that would eliminate service after 10:00 p.m.  Kayser asked that a resolution be prepared authorizing RIOC President Robert H. Ryan to ignore the advertising ban.

The last Town Meeting in which a Tramway cutback was considered was held during the RIOC Presidency of Dr. Jerome Blue, after he had announced termination of the third shift.  After residents filled the Chapel and angrily denounced the plan, it was scrapped.